President M Abdul Hamid today said former Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Speaker late Humayun Rashid Chowdhury’s contribution to the overall development of the country, including diplomacy, politics, education and culture, will be remembered forever by the nation.

“Humayun Rashid Chowdhury was a skilled diplomat, bureaucrat and politician… He will live among us forever through his deeds,” the President told the Chowdhury’s 95th birth anniversary discussion at Jalalabad Gas Bhaban, a suburb of Sylhet, through a video message from Bangabhaban.

The head of the state asked all concerned, specially the members of Speaker Humayun Rashid Chowdhury Smriti Parishad, to convey his lifestyle to the new generation so that they (new generation) can glorify their lives by learning from his colorful life.

President Hamid appreciated the various activities of late Chowdhury whom he saw closely as they worked together for a long time.

He said, besides being an elite diplomat with international reputation, Chowdhury was a follower and advocate of an ideal and modern democratic doctrine.

Referring to his outstanding performance in running the House proceedings, Abdul Hamid said he has created history by introducing the prime minister’s question and answer session with the aim of empowering and strengthening the Jatiya Sangsad and ensuring accountability of the government’s administrative activities.

The President said late speaker Chowdhury introduced several groundbreaking procedures in the JS, including the formation of strong parliamentary standing committees related to ministries and the appointment of committee chairpersons from among parliament members instead of ministers.

Recalling his innumerable successes in his colorful career with due respect, Abdul Hamid said this great man was a diplomat, bureaucrat and politician at the same time.

He said when the War of Liberation started in Bangladesh, he left Pakistan with immense courage and established contacts in more than 40 countries for formation of public opinion and recognition of Bangladesh.

Speaker Humayun Rashid Chowdhury was a short-lived great man, the President said, adding that Chowdhury became Bangladesh’s first ambassador to Germany in 1972.

On 15 August 1975, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was brutally murdered by his assailants along with his family at his Dhanmondi 32 no residence, he said.

The President said many politicians, bureaucrats, intellectuals and opportunists tried to get on the ‘new boat’ wherever they could. But Humayun Rashid Chowdhury risked his career by sending his own car and brought Bangabandhu’s two surviving children -incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her younger sister Sheikh Rehana — to his residence in Germany.

Noting that Humayun Rashid Chowdhury was a man with different character, the President said neither greed nor the risk of life could deviate him from justice and ideals.

Bangabandhu’s two daughters were safe in his shelter for six days from August 15 to August 21, and he gave them mental strength and courage.

Subsequently, Abdul Hamid said, he had arranged political asylum for Bangabandhu’s daughters in Delhi.

The President said nation will never forget this incomparable contribution of the late Speaker Humayun Rashid Chowdhury in the day of extreme danger.