They said he was a man of simple and humble nature, but uncompromising as far as the morality and ideology are concerned.

He will remain ever alive in the hearts of the journalists, they added.

The condolence meeting was organised by the Chittagong Union of Journalists (CUJ) at the Chittagong Press Club (CPC) auditorium yesterday.

The speakers regretted that proper evaluation of Prof Khaled could not be made during his lifetime.

They said he should be honoured with a national award in recognition of his legendary contribution to journalism as well as to political and social movements of the country.

The speakers said he refrained from participating in politics actively to engage himself in fighting for common people with his pen and wisdom when the politics started to be influenced by narrow and vested interests.

They urged the journalist community in Chittagong to introduce Professor Khaled Memorial Journalism Award.

Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalist (BFUJ) President Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, also the editor of the Bangladesh Observer, addressed the meeting as chief guest with CUJ President Mostaq Ahmed in the chair.

Iqbal Sobhan said BFUJ in collaboration with CUJ will organise a meeting in Chittagong on December 21 every year in memory of Prof Khaled.

News Editor of the Azadi MA Malek, BFUJ Secretary General Akhter Ahmed Khan, CPC Acting President Ali Abbas, the Prothom Alo Resident Editor Abul Momen, elderly journalist Obayedul Haq, CPC General Secretary Kalim Sarwar, CUJ General Secretary Shahid Ul Alam, Prof Dr AQM Sirajul Islam Chowdhury and former CUJ president M Nasirul Haq spoke at the meeting.