Recognising contribution in Bangla literature

L-R: Tapan Chowdhury, Samuel S Chowdhury, Tawfiq M Seraj and Kutubuddin Ahmed handing the Sheltech Award 2003 to noted litterateur Muhammad Zafar Iqbal (M).

Zafar Iqbal was handed over the award by the Chairman of Sheltech and the Managing Director of Square Group Tapan Chowdhury in a ceremonious programme arranged at the National Press Club on February 26.

Born in the year of the Language Movement, Zafar Iqbal was meritorious throughout his student life. He studied in Dhaka University and completed his Ph.D. from University of Washington. Later he worked as a scientist at California Institute of Technology and Bell Communication Research. His research area revolves around physics, computer, electronics and fibre optic communication. He designed one of the first Bangla word processors in 1984.

Basically a novelist, Zafar Iqbal writes chiefly for the children and adolescents. After spending eighteen long years in America, he came back home and joined the Shahjalal Science and Technology University.

His first book is Copotronic Shukh Dukkho published in 1976. Later he wrote many science fictions as well as other books both for children and adults such as Triton Ekti Groher Naam, Biggyani Safdar Alir Moha Moha Abishkar, Crugo, Pri, Neuron-e Onuranan, Bibarna Tushar, Dipu Number 2, T-Rex-er Shondhaney, Meku Kahini and many more. He has written over 90 books so far. Zafar Iqbal has earned a permanent place as a science fiction writer in Bangla literature. In fact, Iqbal has popularised the genre in this region. He has received Kazi Mahibullah Award 2002 and Khalekdad Chowdhury Literature Award 1410 previously.

In his interesting and amusing speech, in relation of his recent appearance as an actor on television, Zafar Iqbal said that he had received a good number of letters and e-mails from children saying, 'what have you done/ Be careful don't do any such their as acting in the rest of your life.' He assured smilingly that he will never act in any media anymore.

About the youth of the country Zafar Iqbal is always very much optimistic. He said, 'The youth very much love the country and dream of a better tomorrow. They have interest in learning and have tremendous potential to do something positive. So, keep faith on them. They can build up this nation and the country.'

Sheltech introduced this yearly award in 1998 in order to honour eminent cultural personalities. This particular award for Zafar Iqbal was a crest especially designed to denote Zafar Iqbal's subjects of writing--science. The crest depicted a blend of the past and present designs of telescope.

Among others Director of Sheltech Kutubuddin Ahmed, Vice Chairman of Square Group Samuel S Chowhdury, and Managing Director of Sheltech Dr. Tawfiq M Seraj also spoke on the occasion. Ayesha Khatun--mother of the author, Yasmeen Haque--his wife, and Yeshim--his daughter, were also present at the programme.