Veteran journalist and former MP AN Mahfuza Khatun Baby Maudud has passed away after a long battle with cancer.
She died at a Dhaka hospital on Friday. She was 66.
Baby Maudud was the Social Affairs Editor at bdnews24.com.
“We have lost an extraordinarily honest, brave and caring person,” bdnews24.com Editor-in-Chief Toufique Imrose Khalidi said.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina rushed to United Hospital at the news of Maudud’s demise.
Baby Maudud’s elder son Rabiul Hasan Avi said her janaza would be held at the Dhanmondi Eidgah grounds after Esha prayers. From there her remains will be taken to the National Press Club.
She will be laid to rest at the grave of her husband Advocate Md Hasan Ali at the Banani graveyard.
Hasina was overcome with emotions herself while trying to console her friend’s sons Avi and Shafiul Hassan Dipto.
In a condolence message, President Abdul Hamid said, “Baby Maudud was an honest and brave journalist. Her death is a loss for the nation.”
Finance Minister AMA Muhith also condoled her death.
Maudud was born in Kolkata on June 23, 1948. Her father Abdul Maudud was a justice. Her mother’s name was Hedayet-un-Nisa. She was the third among six brothers and three sisters.
Beginning her career as a journalist in 1967, Baby Maudud worked for the Daily Sangbad, Ittefaq, BSS, and Weekly Bichitra before joining bdnews24.com.
She joined the East Pakistan Students’ Union in her student days at Dhaka University, and also served as a member of the Rokeya Hall student council from 1967-68.
She graduated in Bangla in 1971.
In the ’90s, she was a vocal supporter of the movement for the prosecution of suspected war criminals.
Baby Maudud was elected to a reserved women’s seat in the Ninth Parliament on Awami League nomination.
She had served as a member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the
Ministry of Social Affairs.
She wrote regularly on various issues and published several books, mostly for children.
Source: Bd news24
