DHAKA: Notable poet and ATN Bangla chief adviser Saiful Bari died of old age complications at a city hospital on Wednesday morning.

He was 77.

Saiful Bari breathed his last at LabAid Hospital early hours of the day.

He had been under treatments at the hospital for prolonged illness.

The first namaz-e-janaza of Bari will be held in front of BTV Bhaban at about 2:30pm and the second one at the ATN Bangla office at Karwan Bazar of the capital around 3:00pm.

Bari, also a veteran journalist, was born in Bogra in 1936.

He left behind his two daughters and a host of relatives, well-wishers and colleagues to mourn his death.

Saiful Bari searches for emotional attachment with pure souls in his poetry. He is more on the lookout for the beauty of the soul than for the physical. And that makes him remarkable as a thinker, as a poet.

He joined Associated Press of Pakistan in 1957. Superior Service through competitive examination. He joined Information Service of Pakistan (1964). Worked as Senior News Editor in Radio Pakistan until 1969.

He was appointed Press Attaché in Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi in 1970, Director of News, Radio Bangladesh, 1971, Director, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Bangladesh in 1975, Deputy Director General (News), Radio Bangladesh in 1976, First Secretary (Press), Bangladesh Deputy High Commission, Calcutta (India) from 1976-’78, First Secretary (Press), Bangladesh High Commission, New Delhi (India) from 1978-80, Deputy Director General (News), Radio Bangladesh in 1981, Press Secretary to Hon’ble President of Bangladesh from 1982-1983. Saiful Bari served as Director General, National Broadcasting Authority of Bangladesh (Radio & Television) from 1984 to 1985 and Chairman, National Broadcasting Authority of Bangladesh from 1985 to 1990, Officer on Special Duty (with Status of Secretary) Ministry of Establishment, Government of Bangladesh (1990-’92).

 After retirement as Secretary he became the Editor of a Bengali Daily ‘Dainik Janata (1996-97) and was also member Board of Editors, International English Weekly Dialogue in 1993 and Editor of Dialogue in 1995. Worked as Managing Director of International Television Channel Ltd, Bangladesh 1998-’99 and Chairperson, Panel of Advisors AMIC (Asian Media Information and Communication Centre Ltd.), Bangladesh.

BDST: 1215 HRS, NOV 20, 2013
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