‘History will remember Latifur Rahman’

Democracy is impossible without free media. And the media cannot work impartially and fearlessly if the owners do not give it freedom. Latifur Rahman had given that freedom to the two newspapers he published. This is why his name will certainly be written in the history of Bangladesh’s democracy.

A meeting commemorating renowned businessman and Transcom Group chairman, Latifur Rahman, was told on Saturday.

International Chamber of Commerce, Bangladesh (ICCB) and Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) organised the programme.

Family of Latifur Rahman, well-wishers and noted businessmen joined the meeting.

The speakers identified the departed entrepreneur as a person of integrity, value, strong will, principle and foresight.

The participants also drew examples of his patriotism, support for the liberation war and non-communalism. Identifying him as a role model, they noted youths of the country should follow his life.

Latifur Rahman died at the age of 75 in Cumilla on 1 July. He was the president of MCCI for seven times and vice president of ICCI. MCCI president Nihad Kabir hosted the programme in his memory.

He was uncompromising in principles, and this would often go against his own interest, said Mahbubur Rahman, ICCB president, while describing Latifur Rahman.

He always wanted Bangladesh to prosper, said Simeen Hossain, Latifur Rahman’s eldest daughter. He considered it was crucial to work together for progress of the country, she said.

She thanked the MCCI council for naming a lounge of the institution after Latifur Rahman.

It was fortunate to have a friend like him and it’s equally painful to lose such one, said ACI chairman M Anis-ud-Dowla.

Latifur Rahman showed how to oppose decently, said Apex Group chairman Syed Manzur Elahi, drawing an incident of 1974. Two persons, criticising Bangladesh, were praising the East Pakistan era and Latifur Rahman had answered them very decently, Manzur said adding, the youths have things to learn from him.

Latifur Rahman considered each member of his company as an entrepreneur, said A.S.M. Quasem, chairman of New Age Group.

Noting the businessman’s manners, Sheikh Fazle Fahim, president of FBCCI (Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries), said, “A person is posthumously most remembered for his behaviour.”

By paying tributes to him, people have honoured themselves, said Shiv Shivakumar, Aditya Birla Group executive president.

"He was among the best persons I have ever met in my life,” said Sanjiv Mehta, chairman of Hindustan Unilever.

Latifur Rahman’s presence would escalate the importance of any company board meeting, said Rokia Afzal Rahman, former MCCI president.

AK Azad, president of Newspaper Owners’ Association (NOAB), said, “When Latifur Rahman was asked for advice regarding publishing of a newspaper he said no one can be approached for advertisement. Ads will come if the newspaper is fact-based.”

Squire Group managing director Tapan Chowdhury encouraged Simeen Hossain saying, “We promise that you will never have to walk alone.”

“We are the witnesses of history when Latifur Rahman created history himself. If any Bangladeshi businessman is worth following, he is definitely the one,” said Kutub Uddin Ahmed, Envoy Group chairman.

Kamran T Rahman, president of Bangladesh Employers’ Federation, said Latifur Rahman is an inspiration for all.

Salman Ispahani, chairman of MM Ispahani Group, said he learnt many tricks of business from Latifur Rahman.

MCCI former general secretary CK Haider said, he was with Latifur Rahman once when he took him to go to financially help destitute freedom fighters. He said Latifur was religious but non-communal.

Mir Nasir Hossain, FBCCI former president, said no one can say what would happen to Bangladesh’s journalism if Latifur Rahman had not established Prothom Alo and Daily Star. No government likes these two newspapers as they say the right things, he added saying that Latifur had only one passport which he talked about with pride.

“I thought, Latifur loved me a lot. Later, I understood he was friendly to everyone. I cannot remember shedding tears at anyone’s death out of my family, except for him,” said Fazlul Haque, former president o BKMEA.

Latifur Rahman proved doing business with integrity does not depend on socioeconomic system, but on one’s individual values, said Rumee Ali, former Bangladesh Bank governor.

“My grandfather loved MCCI out of patriotism. He wanted to advance the business of the country to prosper through MCCI and ICCB,” said Latifur Rahman’s grandson Zaraif Ayaat Hossain.

His legacy will encourage the business leadership in the future, he added.

A video message from John W. H. Denton, general secretary of International Chamber of Commerce, was broadcast at the programme.

ICCB general secretary Ataur Rahman and MCCI vice president Anis A Khan also delivered their speeches and the programme ended with Mahbubur Rahman conducting prayers for the departed soul.