It's all coming back. In 1978 I first treaded softly to this media giant's office as a little shaky leaf, but when I came out I was full of vitality.

From November 29 till today, I feel that I am dwelling in two places two time zones. One is our glorious past where Bichitra was highly acknowledged for its trend-setting ideas and ground-breaking cover stories where I was working with a bunch of brilliant young journalists. And the other can be called as "working towards a glorious future" which certainly has potentials but is a lonely journey.

Nevertheless, I am confident to leave my handprints like a Bangladeshi block print made out of indigenous colour in this country. It can be a little runny in the beginning but firm at the end. I have to keep taking steps no matter what adversities are laid on my path. I am in a society where every small genuine step is counted. And who said it to this "little Brit-Bangladeshi poet and writer" in the making? It was my dear Shahadat Bhai.

When I was co-writing my first play with Mary Cooper in London in 1994, Shahadat Chowdhury came to London. My English vocabulary was shamefully insufficient. But he understood my desperation and intention spot on. He could tell that I was trying hard to scribe the balanced picture of Bangladesh in print to this part of the world that is filled with misconceptions and myths about us. "Your words are limited but not your ideas. All you need is a spellchecker and a computer. Both problems can be solved but not ideas. That is why they hired you. These theatre people are very clever, they won't waste their money in the garbage," he told me.

A year had gone past and I was living in Lynton Crescent in one of those terraced Georgian house which had sleeping chimney on the top. Eeshita and Sajib were boisterous with Shahadat Bhai's newly brought gifts from Selina, and Azad (my husband) was smiling at me for what I was doing. I was actually showing my first transcripts that I kept for showing him as evidence that I have learnt writing in computer. While he was nicely settled near the warmth generating white radiator and I passed him some different-sized papers. As he started looking at them curiously I disappeared to the kitchen to make him a cup of tea PG Tipshis favourite. When I was back with the steaming tea and a battered soft scone to start talking about my exciting experience of play writing what did I see? He shredded them all.

I can never forget my team each and every one of them, specially the ever-dependable Arif Rahman Shibly, innovative Emdad Hoque, delightful Karovi Mizan, hardworking Jasim Mallik, vibrant Munower Hussain Piyal, thorough Faria Hussain, steady Istanbul Hoque, optimist Khurshid Jahan, Moshiur, Liakot, Polash, Saberi and giggly young Bizly Hoque and others who made their first steps and dedicated their energy to Bichitra's trend-setting stories on fashion, food, life style, environment, DIY and people's skills. And who lead us to do so? ShachowShahadat Chowdhurythe leader of the leaders.

I remember Bichitra as my first safe haven in Bangladesh for my creativity. Creativity is an image-using process where you constantly draw from your inner well. But to do so or to excavate, you need to make sure it is well stocked. Also while you do that, you got to be gentle but sure and certain about leaving some worthy seeds so that they grow and stand tall in the horizon. Only few people can do that and he was one of them.

The outcome of Shahadat Chowdhury's intricate work was so obvious that from seventies through nineties a period of renaissance happened to the life of Bangladeshi people. The whole concept towards life changed towards a fresh start. Bichitra influenced even government policies. Shahadat Bhai was in and out of court because some silly ministers or offended criminals could not take our stories.

Originality flourishes in a cluster. At this sad moment, I remember my friends and colleagues from that period knowledgeable Shahriar Kabir, perfectionist Alamgir Raman, simply billiant Shamsul Islam Almazi, cool Chinmoy Mutshuddi, tough Kazi Zawad, authentic Anu Muhammad, the bird Mahmud Shafiq, wizard Muntasir Mamun, tolerant Ahmed Ali, daring Asif Nazrul, relentless Rafikur Rahman Reku, meticulous Malek Bhai, non-pretentious Munir, swift Shundor Ali, emotive Masum, persistent Habib, the pair of markers Luthful Hoque and Alokesh Ghosh and above all the essential sizzle of Bichitra Rafikunnabi (Ronabi). Gosh! That sounds like an amazing, interesting, mouth watering assorted chocolate box of human delight! Yes it was. And who was the glue for this cluster? It was the one and only Shahadat Chowdhury.