Serajul Islam Choudhury turns 84 today

Today is the 84th birthday of prominent academic, researcher, author and activist professor Serajul Islam Choudhury. Retired as a teacher, the professor emeritus at Dhaka University, relentlessly carries on his research and movement.

The leftist radical prefers to embrace new times with work, and it seems he has been getting busier day by day.

When contacted on Monday afternoon, in reply to birthday greeting, he said, “I never celebrated my birthday that way. It seems unnecessary, too. I don’t look back much. My eyes are set on the future. I’m aging, so I just concentrate on the continuity of work. It is crucial.”

Serajul Islam Chowdhury was born on 23 June, 1936 in Munshiganj. He was a professor of English at Dhaka University. His interest and contribution were diversified. The dream of equality is his chief inspiration for research and writing.

He edited newspapers and was involved in many movements. Currently, he edits the magazine 'Notun Diganta'.

History is his favourite subject. He researched generally nationalism, and especially the evolution of nationalism and its impact on Bangalee history. His book ‘Jatiyotabad, Samprodayikota o Jonogoner Mukti’ that appeared over 10 years was awarded the best book of the year by Prothom Alo.

He had been conferred upon numerous awards including Bangla Academy Literary Award and Ekushey Padak, the second highest civilian award of the country.

Serajul Islam was a senate member of Dhaka Unviersity and a syndicate member of Jahangirnagar University. Twice received nomination for the post of the vice-chancellor at Dhaka University, he rejected the proposal.

The activist led various movement defending Osmani Udyan, shrine of Lalan Fakir, Arial Beel and so on. He was involved in a number of democratic and social movements. Currently, he is the convener of ‘Samajtantrik Buddhijibi Sangha’.