Renowned business entrepreneur, sports organiser, publisher, writer and Chairman of Gemcon Group Kazi Shahed Ahmed passed away on Monday. He was 83.
He breathed his last at 7:15pm.
Born in Jashore in 1940, Kazi Shahed was one of the founding platoon commanders of the Bangladesh Military Academy. After completing his graduation in engineering, he served diligently in the Bangladesh Army for 14 years.
His business career began with the establishment of Gemcon Group in 1979.
Kazi Shahed, a name synonymous with innovation, has left an indelible mark throughout his life.
The pioneer of modern journalism in Bangladesh, esteemed editor Kazi Shahed spearheaded the emergence of “Ajker Kagoj” which played a pivotal role in ushering in a new era of journalism in the country.
Under his leadership, Ajker Kagoj had emerged as a key player in championing free speech and embodying the spirit of the liberation war.
He was also the driving force behind another esteemed daily “Khoborer Kagoj”.
His non-profit initiatives include University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) and Kazi Shahed Foundation. His wife Amina Ahmed is a renowned Rabindra Sangeet singer.
Kazi Shahed has also made a notable contribution in literature. His inaugural book was published in 1995. In 2013, at the age of seventy-three, his first novel “Bhairab” was published.
Kazi Nabil Ahmed, the eldest of three children of Kazi Shahed, is a politician of Bangladesh Awami League and a current member of parliament. He is also the vice-president of Bangladesh Football Federation.
His son Kazi Anis Ahmed is a renowned writer and publisher of the English-language daily newspaper Dhaka Tribune and the Bengali-language online newspaper Bangla Tribune and the literary magazine Bengal Lights.
His younger son Kazi Inam Ahmed is the director of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
