Kolkata: Author Subhabrata Basak, son of late veteran journalist Santosh Kumar Basak, launched his new Bengali book ‘Ei Shohor Dhakaiya’ at a special event held at the Kolkata Press Club. The occasion was graced by eminent personalities including renowned anchor Satinath Mukhopadhyay, poet Syd. Hasmot Jalal, Bengali language expert Dr. Pabitra Sarkar, senior reporter Barun Chakraborty, and publisher Gautom Hazra.
A Tribute to a Journalist Father
The book holds deep personal significance for Subhabrata Basak. Speaking at the event, he shared that his father, Late Santosh Kumar Basak, served as the News Editor of The Statesman, Calcutta until 1991. He was also the Correspondent for the Associated Press (AP), USA, and The GAMMA Press Agency, Paris.
During his illustrious career as a photojournalist, Santosh Kumar Basak earned international recognition, receiving prestigious honours such as:
- World Press Photo Competition Award (1972), Amsterdam
- Pictures of the Year Award (1971) by the University of Missouri School of Journalism and the National Press Photographers Association (USA)
Most of his writings were in English; however, during his journalistic years in East Pakistan (1950–1960), he frequently wrote in Bengali. In a gesture that nods to his father’s legacy and the shared heritage of Dhaka, Subhabrata chose to publish ‘Ei Shohor Dhakaiya’ in Bengali.
A Book That Revisits a Shared Past
In conversation with a Live Bharat News correspondent, Subhabrata Basak reflected on the current relations between India and Bangladesh. He acknowledged that the countries today face challenges in their relationship, but emphasized that history tells a different story.
“There was a time, 70–75 years ago, when Dhaka was home to Hindus, Muslims, and Pakistanis living together in harmony. We shared the same land, the same streets, and the same culture,” he said.
‘Ei Shohor Dhakaiya’ captures this shared past vividly. The book describes:
- The early lifestyle of Dhaka’s people
- Social harmony before the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War
- Cultural coexistence in pre-partition East Pakistan
- Daily life during the Mughal era
- Historical events that shaped Dhaka’s identity
Through rich storytelling, the book offers readers a nostalgic and insightful narrative of Dhaka’s evolution—from the Mughal period to the turbulent days around 1971.
A Cultural and Historical Chronicle
With its blend of memory, history, and cultural observation, ‘Ei Shohor Dhakaiya’ stands as a valuable record of a bygone era. The presence of distinguished guests at the launch underscored the significance of the work, both as a personal tribute and as a documentation of collective history.
The event concluded with discussions on the impact of journalism, the preservation of heritage, and the importance of revisiting historical narratives through literature.
