Sen, Nirmal
Sen, Nirmal (1930-2013) Journalist, columnist, politician and writer. Nirmal Sen (his original name was Nirmal Kumar Sengutpa) was born at Dighirpar village in Kotalipara thana of Gopalganj district on 3 August 1930. He was the son of Labonnaya Prova Sengupta and Surendra Nath Sengupta. He spent his initial schools years at Patgati in his locality. In 1942, he became active in student politics while he was a ninth class student at BM Academy of Kalaskathi, Bakerganj. Then he studied in Brojomohun College, Barisal and later completed his post-graduation in Economics from the University of Dhaka.
Nirmal Sen spanned an illustrious life. In journalism he started his career as assistant editor of the Dainik Ittefaq during the Pakistan period. He joined the Dainik Jehad in 1962 and then the Dainik Pakistan (later renamed Dainik Bangla) in 1964. He earned reputation as a journalist for his famous columns under his penname Aniket. He was the founder President of Dhaka Union of Journalists from 1971 to 1972 and of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists from 1972 to 1978.
Nirmal Sen played a pioneering role-through his participation in anti-colonial rule of the British Raj to the Liberation War of Bangladesh to pro-democratic movements in independent Bangladesh by upholding the cause of the oppressed people. He started his formal political career in British India by being a member of the Revolutionary Socialist Party in 1944. He also headed a left-leaning political party, Sramik-Krishak Samajbadi Dal and contributed to the politics of Bangladesh. His notable publications include Manush Samaj o Rashtro, Berlin Theke Moscow, Purbo Bongo Purbo Pakistan Bangladesh, Lenin theke Gorbachev, Amar Jobanbondi, and Swavabik Mrittur Guarantee Chai.
Nirmal Sen died on 8 January 2013 and his dead body was donated for medical research as per his wish. He was a lifelong bachelor. [Gobinda Chakraborty]
