Tofazzal Hossain Manik Miah

Tofazzal Hossain Manik Miah
Born 1911
Bhandaria Thana, Pirojpur, British India
Died June 1, 1969
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Other names Manik Miah
Occupation Editor for The Daily Ittefaq
Awards Ekushey Padak Award

Tofazzal Hossain Manik Miah (Bengali: তফাজ্জল হোসেন মানিক মিয়া) (1911 - June 1, 1969) was a Bengali journalist and politician. He was the editor of The Ittefaq. Manik Miah played a vital role during the rise of Bengali nationalism in 1960s. His editorial "Rajnoitik Moncho" or "The political stage" was immensely popular and influential at that time. Most of his journalists were considered leftist as Manik Miah followed the pattern of Awami League. According to journalist and editor of Shongbad Bozlur Rahman, Awami activists followed his editorial more than any actual decision of a meeting.[1]

Early life

Manik Miah's house in Dhaka

Manik Miah was born in Bhandaria Thana of Pirojpur in 1911. He attended Pirojpur High School upon passing his Entrance Examination and earned his B. A. degree from Barisal Brajamohan College. He started working under Sub-divisional officer of Pirojpur as an assistant. Subsequently he became Barisal's district public relation officer. Manik Mia was an outspoken person. Therefore, he resigned from government job and took up journalism as a profession.

The record of his place of death is incorrect. He died at Karachi, Pakistan not in Dhaka Bangladesh as is cited. His closest friend and companion at death was A.K. Rafiqul Hussain ( Khair Miah Shahib). Khair Miah Shahib accompanied his beloved friend's dead body to Tejgaon Dhaka Airport. At the airport all prominent leaders were present to receive Manik Miah's dead body.

This was not Tofazzal Hossain Manik Miar Bari, This was Manik Babur Bari at Hazaribag Dhaka, which was demolished later on.

Role as a journalist

Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia was famous for his political write-ups in Bengali. He was equally prolific in his English renderings. Manik Mia, who was popularly known for his powerful political column in the Daily Ittefaq (founded by Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani and Yar Mohammad Khan) under the pen-name 'Musafir' dedicated his entire life for the cause of emancipation of the people in the then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and establishing the democracy in its truest sense. Yar Mohammad Khan invited Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia who was working at that time as a journalist at Calcutta and made him the editor of The Daily Ittefaq.. Journalist, editor, columnist and pioneer of democratic politics Manik Mia always used his mighty pen as a weapon of struggle being inspired by patriotism, love for humanity and social responsibility. He was turned into an institution during his lifetime.

This looks more like a praise by a fan. Just the tonality doesn't sound unbiased, more citation needed.

Democracy activism

Manik Mia was active in writing against military rule, autocracy and violation of the fundamental rights of people . Manik Mia played a significant role in inspiring the people to join the struggle for freedom under the leadership of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Manik Mia was a close companion of Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy.

Manik Mia died in 1969 at the age of 58.

References

  1. Rahman, Md Hafizur. "Hossain, Tofazzal". Banglapedia. Retrieved 26 July 2015.


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