Polan Sarkar

Polan Sarkar (10 September 1921 – 1 March 2019)[1][2] was a Bangladeshi social activist.[3] He received the Ekushey Padak for social service from the Government of Bangladesh in 2011. He started a social movement of distributing books for free. He is known as “Alor Ferrywala,” the distributor of light.[4]

Polan Sarkar
পলান সরকার
Sarkar in 2013
Born
Harez Uddin

(1921-09-10)10 September 1921
Natore, Bengal Presidency, British India
Died1 March 2019(2019-03-01) (aged 97)
Bagha, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
NationalityBangladeshi
Known forSocial movement of distributing books for free

Biography

Sarkar was born as Harez Uddin[5] on September 10, 1921, in Bagatipara, Natore.[6] When he was just five months old, his father died.[7] After the incident, he moved to Bausha village with his mother and grandfather. He was admitted to a local school, but could not continue his study due to his family's financial troubles.[8] Though his passion for studying and reading books did not ebb.

He started to work with the theatre artists in his area. He also developed a habit of buying books from local libraries as well. Within a short time Polan became fluent in Bangla and was hired to write legal deeds, keeping meeting minutes and business agreements.[9]

Death

Polan Sarkar died on March 1, 2019.The 98 year old had been suffering from old age problems. He died surrounded by his loved ones at his home of Bausha village in Bagha,Rajshahi.

References
  1. Moloy Bhoumik (7 November 2013). পলান সরকারের সঙ্গে কিছু সময়. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  2. "Polan Sarkar passes away | The Daily Star". The Daily Star. 2019-03-01. Retrieved 2019-03-05.
  3. "'Walking library' reaches out to the poor". The Straits Times. 20 September 2014. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
    - "Polan Sarkar, Bangladesh: igniting a passion for books". Impact Journalism Day 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  4. "Ekushey Padak winner Polan Sarkar dies". Dhaka Tribune. 2019-03-01. Retrieved 2019-03-02.
  5. "Polan Sarkar passes away". Daily Sun. March 2, 2019.
  6. "'Alor Ferrywala' Polan Sarkar dies". The Daily Observer. March 2, 2019.
  7. "Polan Sarkar will not distribute books anymore". RTV. 1 Mar 2019.
  8. Abdullah Al Dulal. "The life and legacy of Polan Sarkar". Dhaka Tribune. 2019-03-01. Retrieved 2019-03-02.
  9. Priyanshi Mathur. "Polan Sarkar - The Man Known As The Walking Library of Bangladesh Passes Away At The Age of 98". www.indiatimes.com. 2019-03-07. Retrieved 2019-03-10.


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