With profound sorrow, we, Press Xpress bid farewell to valor freedom fighter and Prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s press secretary Ihsanul Karim Helal whose life journey has come to a serene end.
The eminent journalist breathed his last at about 8:00 pm on Sunday at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, where he was under life support with multiple organ complications. He was 73.
Ihsanul Karim is survived by his wife Shireen Karim, one daughter, one son, host of relatives, colleagues and admirers to mourn his death.
His namaz-e-janaza was held at the National Press Club at 11:00 am where he was given guard of honour. And later buried at Banani Graveyard after Juhr’s prayers.
President Mohammed Shahabudin extended his sympathy to Ihsanul’s family in a message. “Bangladesh has lost an experienced journalist, media personality and skilled official. Ihsanul Karim’s contribution to Bangladesh’s journalism will never be forgotten.”
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sent her condolences to the bereaving family in a message and prayed for the departed soul. She noted he had worked as her press secretary with honesty, skills, and sincerity. “The mass media of Bangladesh has lost a cherished colleague, and I have lost a trusted official” – she added.
Born in 1951 to a respectable Muslim family in Kushtia, Ihsanul Karim obtained his master’s degree in economics from Dhaka University and post-graduate diploma in journalism from the same university.
Later, he also received post-graduate degree in development journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication. He was president of the IIMC Alumni Association, Bangladesh chapter until his death.
Ihsanul Karim joined the Liberation War in 1971 and fought in the western frontier as a member of the Bangladesh Liberation Force.
On June 15, 2015, he was appointed as prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s press secretary for one year on contract basis and the appointment was extended for three years on June 16, 2016. His appointment as the PM’s press secretary was extended for another three years from June 18, 2019.
Prior to his appointment in the Prime Minister’s Office, Ihsanul Karim served as the press secretary to the president and ahead of that, he served as a chief editor and managing director of the national news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, where he made his debut in the career as a staff reporter in 1972. He also served as New Delhi correspondent of BSS in India for five years.
During his long career in journalism, Ihsanul Karim also served several foreign media like the Bangla service of the British Broadcasting Corporation, and the Press Trust of India as a Bangladesh correspondent.
