Nuhash breaks down over his father Humayun Ahmed's coffin at the Central Shaheed Minar yesterday morning. The yellow Punjabi he is wearing is a trademark of Himu, a popular character penned by the celebrated writer. Photo: Sk Enamul HaqIt was a sweltering day and traffic jam was no less troubling. But nothing could prevent thousands of people from flocking to the Central Shaheed Minar yesterday.
Irrespective of caste and creed, religion and political parties, people with flowers, many of them in tears, gathered there well ahead of schedule in the morning.
A number of youths were in yellow punjabis or T-shirts, resembling the fictional character Himu.
But Humayun Ahmed, creator of Himu and also Misir Ali, Shuvro and Baker Bhai, was far away from all this, lying in a coffin on an Emirates flight.
After the aircraft landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 8:55am, the coffin was taken straight to the Shaheed Minar at 10:25am.
Thousands of fans, colleagues, relatives, political leaders, top government officials and well-wishers paid their last tributes to the legendary writer.
On behalf of President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, President's Military Secretary Major General Kazi Fakhruddin Ahmed and PM's Special Assistant (Media) Mahbubul Haque Shakil and Assistant Personal Secretary Saifuzzaman Shikhor placed wreaths on the coffin around 10:20am.
Deputy Leader of the House Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, Finance Minister AMA Muhit, Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid, Food Minister Abdur Razzaque, rights activist Sultana Kamal, BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam, among several dozen eminent persons, bade farewell to the bestseller author of numerous Bangla novels.
Humayun's mother Ayesha Faiz, son and daughters with first wife -- Sheela, Nova and Nuhash, second wife Meher Afroz Shaon, brothers Zafar Iqbal and Ahsan Habib, Zafar's wife Yasmeen Haque and two sisters stood by the coffin.
Finance Minister Muhith said Humayun's creation was rare in Bangladesh. The writer had also contributed to politics.
Sammilito Sangskritik Jote President Nasiruddin Yousuff Bachchu said, "Today's presence proves how a writer can unite a nation. He is a symbol of unity. He penned the joys and sorrows of people. A new generation has been created through his books."
The nation has lost Humayun Ahmed's body, but not the spirit. His works will inspire people to love the country and human beings, he added.
Asif Munna, a young scriptwriter, may be representative of the generation Bachchu was talking about.
"The creation of Humayun Ahmed was a combination of science and literature. I cannot but come to see and pay respects for the last time," he said, standing in a long queue stretching up to Shahbagh.
At 2:00pm, the body was taken to the National Eidgah Maidan.
Minutes before the second namaz-e-janaza there, Humayun Ahmed's son Nuhash Humayun asked everyone present to be forgiving if his father had hurt anybody.
"Anybody to whom my father owes anything is requested to contact me or my uncle Mohammad Zafar Iqbal," said Nuhash in his first ever public statement after the death of the writer. He too was in a yellow punjabi.
Prof Maulana Muhammad Salahuddin, khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, administrated the janaza attended by ministers, top government officials, academics, jurists, litterateurs and politicians and citizens across the spectrum.
After the janaza, Humayun's son Nuhash and father-in-law Motahar accompanied the coffin to Birdem mortuary around 3:00pm.
His first janaza was held at Jamaica Muslim Center on Friday.
Humayun, who was also an award winning filmmaker, died at Manhattan's Bellevue Hospital in New York on Thursday night after a nine-month struggle with colon cancer.
Shaon, Humayun Ahmed's two sons with her Nishad and Ninith, mother-in-law Tahura Ali, sister-in-law Senjuti Afroz and friend Mazharul Islam came with the coffin aboard the flight from the US yesterday.
Zafar Iqbal, Ahsan Habib, Nuhash, Sheela and Nova and a host of relatives received the body at the airport.
Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif, LGED State Minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Foreign Secretary Mijarul Quayes, and leaders of the Sammilito Sangskritik Jote were also present there.
On arrival at the airport, Shaon told reporters about Humayun's "wish" to be buried at Nuhash Palli. "A day before the operation, he [Humayun] told me, 'If something unexpected happens to me, please keep me at Nuhash Palli'."
Foreseeing that a tug of war would begin over his burial, Humayun asked her to lay him down at the Palli, she said. "He had told me, 'I don't like Banani Graveyard or Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals' Graveyard. I get frightened in unknown places'."
"He loved Nuhash Palli more than his life. He loved all the trees equally as his children," she added.
However, Nova, Sheela and Nuhash told reporters at the Mirpur residence of Ayesha Faiz yesterday evening that their father should be laid to rest in a place where everybody can visit and offer prayers.
"My father had repeatedly said Nuhash Palli should not turn into a graveyard," Nova said.
In the presence of Zafar Iqbal and his wife Yasmeen Haque, the trio sought the cooperation of all for a smooth completion of the burial, reports Bangla daily Prothom Alo.
Talking to journalists, Yasmeen Haque said, "As a situation has arisen, the children have decided to take a stance."
Asked about the burial place, Zafar Iqbal said, "Wait, you will be informed in time."
Later at night, Zafar Iqbal, Nasiruddin Yousuff Bachchu, media personalities Shaikh Siraj and Faridur Reza Sagar went to Humayun's Dhanmondi residence Dakhin Hawa to talk with Meher Afroz Shaon about the burial site selection.
They went to Shaon after discussing the issue with State Minister for Local Government Jahangir Kabir Nanok.
No decision came as of 1:00am today.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 06:35 AM GMT+06:00 (69 weeks ago)
I do not consider that Humayun Ahmed is dead. I consider him alive forever.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 07:28 AM GMT+06:00 (69 weeks ago)
I feel, a part of Bangladeshis falls apart.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 09:36 AM GMT+06:00 (69 weeks ago)
When the whole nation is mourning for Humayun Ahmed's death, his family is doing drama for his buried place. It is really a shame for his family who are doing child-like behavior, is not expected from them. If Humayun Ahmed's last desired burring him Nuhash Palli, then what is the problem for it? When he last came Bangladesh, he went Nuhash Palli directly. So, Humayun Ahamed liked his place Nuhash Palli. So, his desire should be given more priority from his family members. Always we like to make a thing complicated.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 09:48 AM GMT+06:00 (69 weeks ago)
The Bangla-speaking people of the world shall never forget his unparalleled contribution to Bangla literature and movies.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 11:37 AM GMT+06:00 (69 weeks ago)
The person who took me the world of book is not any more! Still can't belief from 2014 I will not get any new book of him.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 02:06 PM GMT+06:00 (69 weeks ago)
It was a very bad news when I knew that we lost our earnest novelist Humayun Ahmed. But it is reality that every one should die one day.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 12:52 AM GMT+06:00 (69 weeks ago)
Every soul shall have a taste of death: And on the Day of Judgment you shall be paid in full your dues. Only he who is saved from the Fire and admitted to the Jannah will have the success: For the life of this world is nothing but materials of deception (Surah Al Imran, Aya 185).
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 01:21 AM GMT+06:00 (69 weeks ago)
Humayun Ahmed has been truly and thoroughly a Bangladeshi.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 02:01 AM GMT+06:00 (69 weeks ago)
We as a nation mourn the passing of a great artist.His canvas was Bangla literature,where he etched everyday lives of middle class with lucid colloquial bangla.His characters came alive as one us,our neighbours,friends & relatives.He delved into serious matters with same easy.Who will forgethis Muktijudhho novels.Aguner Poroshmoni? He showed great restraint in not being judgmental or philosophical.He allowed this freedom to his readers.He depicted life as is.This is his greatness.We will miss our beloved Humayun Ahmed with a feeling that the best was yet to be.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 02:25 AM GMT+06:00 (69 weeks ago)
Humayun Ahmed is not here anymore and his absence from his work is great loss to us. Where his body will be buried is absolutely a family matter. But it is rather a shame that we had to see the family feud at the end. In the context of our culture and value system Nova, Shila & Nuhash will be treated as children of Humayun from his first family. Unfortunately Meher Afroz Shaon, Humayun's second wife must also understand the greater sentiment of the general people's feelings. We all want him to be buried in a place near to us, so that we can reach the place easily & conveniently.
No matter what it is, the future we are looking forward to is the children of Humayun Ahmed. I hope each one of them will become as talented as their father. Then only, along with Humayun's soul, we all will have the peace. May Allah bless them all. However, we all have lesson to learn: "how one man's deed may turn into other people's burden".
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 02:34 AM GMT+06:00 (69 weeks ago)
nothing to say to console Nuhash,Sheela.we are with you. don't take him to Nuhash Palli..
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 02:48 AM GMT+06:00 (69 weeks ago)
The unexpected death of Humayun Ahmed is an irreparable loss for our nation.Such an talented author is born once in a hundred years. We pray for him from the core of our hearts so that his soul may rest in eternal peace.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 09:36 AM GMT+06:00 (69 weeks ago)
You taught us to be simple and lived like one of us though being an extra ordinary
You showed us without having power how to win heart of millions
You made us to feel this motherland is none but our mother herself
You loved people so deeply that love bounces back from all around this earth
We truly love you Humayun and will love in every rainy days of Ashar & Srabon..
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 11:00 AM GMT+06:00 (69 weeks ago)
Meher Afroz Shaon proved once again why she has negetive impression among many ppl in Bangladesh. Well done Zafar Iqbal Sir, you convinced the children of Humayun Ahmed compromise with that lady, didnt linger the burial decision any further and avoided the stalemate situation.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 04:02 PM GMT+06:00 (69 weeks ago)
Loved the dead man
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 09:30 PM GMT+06:00 (69 weeks ago)
Whoever says whatever,Humayun Ahmed has really done a lot for us.When i was only a child,i spent my childhood reading his wonderful books.And,some people continually criticize him.But,i say,before censoring someone,we must think who we are.Are we judges?No.Has anyone given us the responsibility to judge him?No.Then why are we commenting about him?We have absolutely no right of talking about him.And,even if(suppose) he wrote something bad,we must not forget his altruisms for mankind.No one is free from sins.we all are more or less sinners.On earth,there must be a balance.We must compare the goods with the bads and see what stands out.If we compare and examine his works in life,I am quite sure that it is his good side that always wins,which is nothing but what we saw in Shaheed Minar on Tuesday.