Panna Kaiser, a former MP, widow of martyred intellectual Shahidullah Kaiser and mother of actress Shomi Kaiser, at a hospital in the city on Friday morning. She was 73.
The eminent writer, researcher and intellectual breathed her last at about 10:00am while undergoing treatment at the United Hospital in the city.
She left behind a daughter, a son and a host of relatives and admirers.
The first Namaz-e-Janaza of Panna Kaiser was held after Jummah at Gulshan’s Azad Mosque. After the Janaza, her body was taken to her home in New Eskaton for people to pay homage. Later, her body was kept at BIRDEM hospital.
Her body will be taken at Central Shaheed Minar in the capital from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm on Sunday for the people to pay their last respects. Sammilito Sangskritik Jote will coordinate the event.
Later, her second namaz-e-janaza would be held at Dhaka University central mosque after the Zuhr prayers. No decision has been taken about her burial yet.
Respectfully revered as the “Shaheedjaya” (widow of a martyr), Panna Kaiser, originally known as Saifunnahar Chowdhury, was born on May 25 in 1950 at Payalgacha village under Barura upazila in Cumilla district.
After completing post-graduation in Bengali Literature from the University of Dhaka, she went into the teaching profession at Badrunnesa Women College. She married Shahidullah Kaiser in 1969.
She was a presidium member of the children’s organisation ‘Khelaghar’ since 1973. In 1990, she assumed responsibility as the head of this organisation.
Just before two days of victory day in 1971, Shahidullah Kaiser was picked up from his house by Al-Badr forces and never came back.
Panna Kaiser was a member of parliament of the women reserved seat of the ruling Awami League during 1996 to 2000.
She received Bangla Academy Literary Award in 2021 for her significant contribution in the research of the Liberation War.
