{"id":13793,"date":"2026-07-24T14:56:19","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T08:56:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dailyenglishtimes.com\/?p=13793"},"modified":"2026-07-24T16:53:05","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T10:53:05","slug":"monajatuddin-the-pioneer-of-people-centered-journalism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dailyenglishtimes.com\/?p=13793","title":{"rendered":"Monajatuddin: The Pioneer of People-Centered Journalism"},"content":{"rendered":"

Md Shafiul Alam <\/strong><\/h3>\n

In \u201cMonajatuddin: The Pioneer of People-Centered Journalism,\u201d Selina Sheuly, a senior reporter with the Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), offers a thoughtful and respectful tribute to a journalist whose impact on Bangladeshi media has often gone unrecognized. The book traces the life and enduring influence of Monajatuddin, a figure who redefined rural reporting through his deep commitment to giving visibility to marginalized communities.
\nThe title is more than symbolic. By positioning Monajatuddin as a foundational figure in citizen journalism, Sheuly argues that long before digital platforms enabled public participation in news, he was already practicing a form of journalism rooted in the everyday lives of grassroots people. His work consistently highlighted the struggles of rural populations, bringing their realities into national discourse with empathy and integrity.
\nBorn on January 18, 1945, in Rangpur, Monajatuddin\u2019s career was shaped by perseverance and a strong sense of civic duty. He began writing for local newspapers, later founding and editing Dainik Rangpur, and went on to serve as the northern correspondent for major dailies such as Dainik Purbadesh, Dainik Azad, and Dainik Sangbad. Throughout, he remained grounded in rural life, convinced that mainstream media should reflect the experiences and hopes of those outside urban centers.
\nOne of the book\u2019s central insights is its depiction of Monajatuddin not just as a journalist but as a public servant. He traveled extensively across villages, frequently on foot, braving difficult conditions to gather stories. Equipped with a notebook and camera, he recorded social inequities with honesty and care. His reports were never intended to dramatize suffering; instead, they aimed to raise awareness, prompt policy change, and improve living conditions for disadvantaged groups.<\/p>\n

Sheuly also emphasizes Monajatuddin\u2019s remarkable balance between compassion and objectivity. Though deeply moved by injustice, he maintained rigorous standards in reporting. His investigative pieces exposed corruption, organized crime, and abuse of authority without sacrificing factual accuracy, earning him recognition as one of Bangladesh\u2019s most principled and courageous reporters. His ability to blend narrative depth with journalistic precision gave his work lasting relevance.
\nThe book also acknowledges his literary contributions, including Shah Alam O Mojibor-er Kahini, Poth Theke Pothe, Kansonar Mukh O Sangbad Nepathye, and Payraband Shekor Sangbad. These writings showcase his talent for turning everyday lives into powerful narratives, preserving rural voices for future generations. A large number of letters written by Monajatuddin himself for professional purposes on various occasions have been accommodated in the book by the author. His wonderful handwriting and correct articulation will attract readers as the letters have news values too.
\nMonajatuddin received several honors during and after his lifetime, including the Zahur Hossain Gold Medal, the Philips Award, and the posthumous Ekushey Padak. Yet, as Sheuly illustrates, his true legacy lies not in accolades but in the ethical framework he embodied\u2014a vision of journalism as a public responsibility rather than a pursuit of fame or profit.
\nHis life ended tragically on December 29, 1995, when he fell from a ferry while reporting at Fulchhari Ghat in Gaibandha. His death underscores the dedication he maintained until his final moments, reinforcing the depth of his commitment to the field.
\nSelina Sheuly deserves credit for capturing the life of a journalist whose values continue to inform ethical reporting in Bangladesh. More than a biography, this work stands as a historical account of a journalistic tradition that prioritizes people over power, truth over convenience, and service over recognition.
\nSpanning 176 pages and 13 chapters, the book chronicles the journey of a man who devoted his life to rural journalism in service of the underprivileged. Known as the \u201cCharon journalist,\u201d Monajatuddin gained recognition for covering remote areas of the country. Sheuly refers to him as a \u201ccitizen journalist,\u201d highlighting his unparalleled dedication to both the profession and the communities he represented.
\nThe term becomes meaningful as the narrative unfolds, revealing how Monajatuddin practiced grassroots reporting long before it became a recognized concept. His work empowered ordinary citizens, elevated silenced voices, and urged authorities to acknowledge neglected regions. For him, journalism was not just about recording events\u2014it was about holding society accountable to its moral responsibilities.
\nSheuly presents Monajatuddin as more than a reporter. He emerges as a humanitarian, storyteller, photographer, investigator, and above all, a public servant armed with a pen and lens. He documented lives often overlooked by history, not for spectacle, but for justice. His reporting helped shape public understanding, influenced government action, and contributed to tangible improvements in rural communities.
\nThe author also sheds light on his professional ethics. Despite his empathy for the oppressed, he upheld strict objectivity. At a time when investigative journalism in Bangladesh was still developing, Monajatuddin set benchmarks for integrity, fearlessly exposing wrongdoing while maintaining credibility.
\nSheuly gives due attention to his literary skill. His reports went beyond standard news formats, combining factual rigor with narrative richness. Readers didn\u2019t just learn about rural Bangladesh\u2014they felt its rhythms, emotions, and struggles. Works like Shah Alam O Mojibor-er Kahini and Poth Theke Pothe remain milestones in literary journalism.
\nAnother strength of the book is its thorough research. Sheuly weaves together archival material, personal recollections, career milestones, and journalistic achievements into a cohesive and compelling narrative. Rather than idealizing her subject, she lets the facts and firsthand accounts convey his significance, lending the biography both authenticity and emotional resonance.
\nWritten in clear, accessible prose, the narrative balances journalistic clarity with warmth. While the author\u2019s admiration for Monajatuddin is evident, it never overshadows her commitment to factual storytelling. The result is a work that speaks to general readers while remaining valuable to students, scholars, and professionals in media studies.
\nThat said, the book could have further explored Monajatuddin\u2019s relevance to today\u2019s media landscape. A deeper discussion on how his approach aligns with modern citizen journalism and digital storytelling might have strengthened its central argument. Still, this is a minor point in an otherwise substantial and impactful work.
\nHis awards reflect professional excellence, but as Sheuly makes clear, his greatest achievement was intangible: restoring dignity to rural lives by making them visible. He proved that journalism belongs not only in city newsrooms but also in the villages often left out of public conversation.
\nThe most moving part of the book recounts his final assignment. At 51, still at the height of his abilities, he died while doing what he lived for\u2014reporting from the field. Falling from a ferry at Fulchhari Ghat, his death was not just a personal tragedy but a testament to a life fully dedicated to journalism.
\nThe irony is profound. Throughout his career, Monajatuddin worked with minimal resources, little institutional support, and constant financial strain. He journeyed to the most isolated parts of Bangladesh, enduring physical hardship and personal sacrifice. Yet none of these challenges weakened his resolve. Poverty and adversity could not silence him\u2014only death did.
\nThrough these details, Sheuly reveals the true depth of Monajatuddin\u2019s character. His legacy lies not only in the stories he published but in the sacrifices behind each one. His life reminds us that journalism, at its best, is not merely a job, but a calling\u2014one that demands courage, empathy, persistence, and, at times, the highest price.
\nMonajatuddin: (Jonosangbadikotar Rupokar) The Pioneer of People-Centered Journalism
\nAuthor: Selina Sheuly
\nPublisher: Md Gofur Hossain, Rhythm Prokashona Sangstha
\nAvailable at www.rokomari.com
\nPrice: BDT 350.00, USD 10.00<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Md Shafiul Alam In \u201cMonajatuddin: The Pioneer of People-Centered Journalism,\u201d Selina Sheuly, a senior reporter with the Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), offers a thoughtful and respectful tribute to a journalist whose impact on Bangladeshi media has often gone unrecognized. The book traces the life and enduring influence of Monajatuddin, a figure who redefined rural reporting through his deep commitment to giving visibility to marginalized communities. The title is more than symbolic. By positioning Monajatuddin as a foundational figure in citizen journalism, Sheuly argues that long before digital platforms enabled public<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13794,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"limit_modified_date":"","last_modified_date":"","rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":[],"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3,8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13793","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bangladesh","category-opinion"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyenglishtimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13793","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyenglishtimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyenglishtimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyenglishtimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyenglishtimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=13793"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/dailyenglishtimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13793\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13799,"href":"https:\/\/dailyenglishtimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13793\/revisions\/13799"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyenglishtimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/13794"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyenglishtimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13793"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyenglishtimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13793"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyenglishtimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13793"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}