Eminent cultural activist and veteran journalist Kamal Lohani has died under treatment at the intensive care unit of Sheikh Russel Gastro Liver Institute and Hospital in Dhaka.
Confirming the death Sagor Lohani, son of Kamal Lohani, said the 85-year-old breathed his last around 10:10am on Saturday.
Earlier on Friday, Kamal Lohani’s daughter Urmi Lohani confirmed her father tested coronavirus positive and was suffering from diabetes and lung, kidney and heart ailments.
Kamal Lohani initiated his career as a journalist at Dainik Millat in 1955. Later he worked at Azad, Sangbad, Purbadesh, Dainik Barta and carried out his role as the president of Dhaka Reporters’ Union.
Born on 26 June 1934, Kamal Lohani grew up witnessing India's independence movement, the partition and the Language Movement in 1952.
Kamal Lohani performed as the head of news of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra during the War of Liberation of Bangladesh in 1971.
Lohani joined Chhayanaut, a cultural organisation, as its secretary in 1962.
He was awarded Ekushey Padak in 2015 and had served as the director general of Shilpakala Academy from April 2009 until April 2011.
He was also the president of Bangladesh Udichi Shilpi Gosthi and adviser of Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee.