Journo Balu's sister passes away

KHULNA, June 7: Farida Yasmin Koton, younger sister of Ekushey Padak-winning martyred journalist Humayun Kabir Balu and wife of former councillor of Khulna City Corporation (KCC)'s Ward No. 28, Wahidur Rahman Dipu, passed away while undergoing treatment in the capital on Sunday morning. She was 61.

Family sources said Farida Yasmin had been suffering from cancer for a long time. She is survived by her husband, one son, four brothers, relatives and numerous well-wishers.

Meanwhile, KCC Administrator and former president of the BNP Khulna City unit Nazrul Islam Manju expressed deep shock and sorrow at her death.

In a condolence message, he conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul. Her brother, the late Humayun Kabir Balu, was the founding editor of the Khulna-based daily Janmabhumi and a former president of the Khulna Press Club. 

Among her other brothers are S M Maruf Hossain, editor and publisher of Sebok Protidin, S M Zakir Hossain, proprietor of Madhumati Press Limited, S M Zahid Hossain, former president of the Khulna Press Club and the Khulna Union of Journalists, and S M Sahid Hossain, editor and publisher of Dakkhinanchal Protidin.

Her funeral prayer was held after Esha prayers on the Kayemia Jam-e-Mosque premises in Miapara of Tutpara area in the Khulna city. She was buried at the Tutpara graveyard.