The sixth anniversary of death of freedom fighter Md Imamul Kabir Shanto, founder chairman of Shanto-Mariam Foundation, Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology and Sundarban Courier Service Pvt Limited, was observed on Saturday.
Imamul Kabir Shanto passed away while undergoing treatment at the Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka on May 30, 2020 after contracting Covid, and was laid to rest with state honour at the Banani Graveyard, said a press release.
Born at Nakhalpara in Dhaka on February 11, 1954, Shanto was an educationist, entrepreneur and social philanthropist.
He joined the War of Independence at the age of 17. Following the war, with a vision to promote skill-based education and employment opportunities in a financially fragile Bangladesh, he established numerous institutions, including Shanto-Mariam Foundation, Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology, Sundarban Courier Service, Dainik Ajker Prottasha, Shanto-Mariam Academy of Creative Technology, Shanto-Mariam Institute of Creative Technology, Shanto-Mariam School of Creative Technology and Shantonibas, a rehabilitation centre for children and the elderly.
He also founded several mosques, madrassahs and orphanages across the country.
The anniversary was observed through various programmes, including placing of floral wreaths at his grave, completion of the Qur’an recitation and special prayers, which were organised under the initiative of Md Ahsanul Kabir, chairman of Shanto-Mariam Foundation and Sundarban Courier Service and member of the board of trustees of Shanto-Mariam University, and artist Professor Mostafizul Haque, chairman of the board of trustees of Shanto-Mariam University.
Among those present at the prayer and remembrance programme were Professor Md Humayun Kabir, member of the BoT of SMUCT and director of the boards of directors of Shanto-Mariam Foundation, Sundarban Courier Service and Sundarban Express Transportation System Limited; Professor Md Shah-i-Alam, vice-chancellor of SMUCT; Md Hafizur Rahman Pulak, vice-chairman of Sundarban Courier Service; and Barkat Ullah Bulu, deputy managing director of the company, among others.
