President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday expressedthier profound shock and sorrow at the deaths of valiant freedom fighter, founding organiser and voice soldier of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra Ashfaqur Rahman Khan and noted Nazrul singer and valiant freedom fighter Bulbul Mahalanobis.
In a condolence message, the Head of State prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls and conveyed deep sympathy to the members of the bereaved families.
Bulbul Mahalanobis gave voice to the historic song 'Bijoy Nishan Utechy Oi' at the historic moment of the victory in December, 1971.
Ashfaqur Rahman Khan was the programme manager of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra.
Recalling their contributions with due respect, the President said the deaths of two talented artists on the same day is an irreparable loss to the country's cultural arena.
The nation will remember their outstanding contributions to the great Liberation War for long, he added.
In a condolence message, the Prime Minister said that Ashfaqur Rahman Khan, former deputy director general (Programme) of Bangladesh Betar, was among the 8-10 Betar workers who broadcasted the historic 7th March Speech of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from the Dhaka station of the erstwhile Pakistan radio on March 8 in 1971, risking their lives and ignoring dire consequence of Pakistan military junta.
At the beginning of the Liberation War, he risked his life and joined Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra by taking the tapes from Dhaka Betar Kendra, she said.
Ashfaqur Rahman Khan was awarded the Independence Award in 2001 by the government of Bangladesh for his outstanding contribution to the Great War of Liberation, including his important role in narrating and broadcasting the historic 7th March Speech and playing an important role in Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra.
"With the death of Ashfaqur Rahman Khan, Bangladesh lost one of its great sons. This fearless voice soldier, media personality and great freedom fighter will be remembered forever by the people of the country due to his works," she said.
The Premier prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family.
Ashfaqur, 81, breathed his last in Square Hospital around 8:30 am on Friday.
