Dhaka, Mar 01: Ekushey Padak winner Palan Sarker, who was promoting the habit of reading books of his locality by walking to villages after village has passed away at his house on Friday in Rajshahi.
He was a resident of Bausa village under Bagha Upazila of the district. He breathed his last at around 12:30 pm and he was 98. Palan Sarker was suffering from old age complications for the last few days,
family members said.
In 2011, he was awarded the prestigious Ekushey Padak for his dedication toward social welfare.
Polan Sarker was born in Natore’s Bagatipara Upazila on September 10, 1921. After the death of his father along with his mother, they move to his grandfather’s in Bagha of Rajshahi, Haider Ali, son of Palan Sarker said. His original name is Harez Uddin, but he is well known as Polan Sarker.
In 2008, he built a library on his own land at his village with assistance from Rajshahi Zilla Parishad. The library has now five different book distribution points at different villages.
Following him inspiring people for reading books, some of the youths of his village joined him and raised a movement for reading books.
It is learnt, in the beginning, Palan Sarker used to gifts books among school students who stood one to ten place. From there he has started his books distribution movement. Later he used to distribution books among all students by walking to the village after village from last 30 years. For this reason, he was also known as ‘Alor Feriwala’.
On September 20,
The news of his death shrouded the villagers with grief and people who loved him began thronging at his home.
According to his family, Palan Sarker was laid to rest at their family grave-yard after his
