In his last letter, he left some complaints and questions to the societyVeteran journo Bibhuranjan's last article 'Open Letter'

"I have no success stories in my life. Even as a journalist, I have not been able to grasp any solid foundation by trying so hard. I have a big deficiency somewhere or the other. I cannot overcome this deficiency. May sorrow be the last companion of my life. And may all the creatures of the world be happy."

This article was written by senior journalist and columnist Bibhuranjan Sarkar, whose body was recovered floating in the Meghna River in Munshiganj on Friday after going missing for a day after writing the article.

A day earlier, he had sent a piece of article called "Open Letter" to a local media outlet, claiming it to be his last. He wrote in the footnote, "You can print this as the last piece of writing in your life."

Family members said that Bibhuranjan Sarkar left his home on Thursday to go to the office. He has been missing since then. When he did not return home at night, his family filed a general diary at the capital's Ramna police station.

The GD filed by Bibhuranjan's son Rit Sarkar states that his father left for office at 10 am on Thursday, like any other day, but did not return home.

Members of the Kalagachhia Naval Police in Narayanganj recovered a body floating in the Balakir Char area of ​​Gazaria on Friday afternoon.

Police say that if the photo of journalist Bibhuranjan matched the one provided by his family in the GD filed at Ramna Police Station, the family was notified for identification.

Later, the body kept in the morgue of Munshiganj Sadar Hospital was identified by Bibhuranjan Sarkar's family.

His brother Chirranjan Sarkar said, "I came to Munshiganj for receive my brother. The body will be handed over to us after the postmortem on Saturday afternoon."

What Bibhuranjan wrote in the open letter

Senior journalist and columnist Bibhuranjan Sarkar, besides working in the editorial department of Ajker Patrika, published from Dhaka, regularly wrote columns or opinion pieces for various media outlets.

On the day he went missing, Thursday (August 21) at 9 am, he emailed an article of his to the popular media outlet bdnews24.com. In the footnote, he mentioned, "You can print this as the last article of my life." He had been missing since 10 am that day.

His article, titled 'Open Letter', was published by bdnews24.com on Friday. In it, he writes about various events in his personal and professional life, his disappointments in getting what he deserves, and even the political realities and complaints of the country, past and present.

In the open letter, he wrote about his and his son's illness, his son who passed out of BUET but was not able to get a job, and his medically passed daughter's poor results in higher exams. In his writing, Bibhuranjan also discussed various aspects of his position on journalism despite the financial crisis.

His writing also touches upon various aspects of the past and present governments. The entire letter is published below in 'The Finance Today' today, out of regret for not being able to give due respect and dignity to the arrogant Bibhuda.

I am Bibhuranjan Sarkar, working in the editorial department of 'Aajker Patrika'. My association with journalism spans more than five decades. I have witnessed various changes, movements, mass movements and political ups and downs in the country.

For a long time, I have written for the truth, for the people, for the country. But today, when I look at my own life, I feel that it is not easy to live by writing the truth.

Still uncompromising in revealing the truth

My profession has taught me that revealing the truth means taking risks with courage. During my student life, I learned that while performing my duties as the co-editor of the central committee of the Bangladesh Chhatra Union, sometimes I have to keep my name secret. To reveal the truth, it is necessary to put my life at risk. During Ershad's era, various political movements—it was not possible to write without courage in all areas. We, journalists like me, have used pseudonyms, there is no interest in that, but rather for security.

During the Liberation War, my position was clear—standing for freedom meant being responsible to the country. In my area, people have taken and are taking privileges and privileges by claiming the certificate of a freedom fighter, even though they did not contribute anything to the Liberation War. I did not even walk the path.

I got involved in journalism as a school student. I worked as a district journalist in the Daily Azad. While I was in school, big articles were published in Azad. I also got involved in leftist politics from that school.

Political idealism and journalistic moral integrity did not drive me to seek personal pleasure. There was only one driving force – a sense of responsibility. I have never knowingly neglected my duties. I have never shied away from my work. I may not be a very brave person, but no one could convince me to write anything by flattering me. However, a few years ago, Naimul Islam Khan, through his words, had written about his wife Monty Apa!

Drowning in debt due to lack of proper honorarium

The challenge of journalism today is different. Many people hide the truth for convenience, interest, social status or financial gain. Even though I hide my name, I did not hide the truth. That is why, despite spending more than five decades in this profession, I have not received a respectable salary and allowance.

I don't want to embarrass anyone by saying what my salary is now. But I heard that my department head's salary is almost double my salary. Oh, if I had gotten a job with that salary, I wouldn't have had to choose the profession of regularly borrowing money to run my family! Leaving aside all other expenses, my monthly medicine expenses alone are 20-22 thousand taka. I might have said it a little less, not more! I have arthritis, liver cirrhosis, diabetes, heart disease, and so many diseases! I have to borrow a lot for the treatment of arthritis and liver. My son is also sick, he also has regular medical expenses. So there is no other way but to borrow.

Zero expectations

During Sheikh Hasina's rule, many people took advantage of many opportunities and privileges under various identities. At one point, forgetting my shame, I also applied to Sheikh Hasina's court for help, but to no avail. Many journalists got plots. I applied twice but was not successful. How many people's fortunes have changed even by writing books about Bangabandhu and Sheikh Hasina. Yet, I did not receive even two taka of royalties for the two books published by Agamya Publishing. That's what I call a slap in the face! But yes, I once had the opportunity to go to Singapore as Sheikh Hasina's entourage. I received some money for my expenses for that trip. But that was only enough to buy that coat, pants, and shoes, and I also got into debt. Because of that, I bought my coat, tie, and shoes! I spent my whole life wearing sandals.

I am still given the 'Awami tag' only because of my steadfast stance in favor of the Liberation War and non-communal democratic politics. But even during the Awami regime, I did not get any real reward. I did not get a plot, nor a good job. Rather, the burden of debt increased due to being unemployed for a long time. Along with health problems, family responsibilities keep me under constant pressure.

Some unspoken regrets in a long career

I have been working at 'Aajker Patrika' for 4 years. During this time, there has been no promotion, no increase in salary. Yet the prices of goods are increasing every day. How else can a newspaper stand for justice, when there is irregularity within its own house?

The weekly 'Jay Jay Din' became popular because of its writers, one of whom was Tarikh Ibrahim. I used to write under that name to protect myself from Ershad's scolding. After leaving power, when we met a couple of times, Ershad also treated me as a 'desi'.

I have worked in the Daily Sangbad, the Weekly Ekta, and the Daily Rupali. I edited the weekly 'Chalatipatra' myself. I served as the executive editor of the weekly 'Mridubhasan'. I also served as the editor of a daily called 'Dainik Matribhumi'. My writings were once regularly published in almost all the dailies and online newspapers in the country. When the Daily 'Janakantha' was at the peak of its popularity, my comment reports were published on the front page.

But now, even after sending articles to some newspapers and requesting them to be published, I don't get any results. It seems that readers don't 'eat' my articles that way anymore.

At one time, many famous people called me after reading my writing and praised me. I also received praise from Principal Dewan Mohammad Azraf, Principal Saidur Rahman. I received praise from politicians Oli Ahad, Professor Muzaffar Ahmed, writers Professor Shawkat Osman, Dr. Ranggalal Sen, Professor Dr. Ajay Roy. Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, the former Secretary General of BNP, also loved me for my writing.

Oh yes, Dr. Muhammad Yunus himself called me at least twice and talked about my writing. Now, of course, he shouldn't have such a simple matter in mind. Today, my writing doesn't attract readers. Maybe, my writing has become light with age.

I have written thousands of articles anonymously and anonymously. But I have received very little respect. Some magazines have not felt the need to pay me a single penny even after writing for a few years. Online publications are much better in that respect. I still owe a lot of money to a big online publication.

But now my daily life begins with taking medicine, getting health checkups, and worrying about money to buy medicine.

Meanwhile, the media situation has become even worse after the change of government last year. The chief advisor has said that criticism should be openly expressed. But his press department is not open-minded. All those who perform executive duties in the media are always in a state of panic. Sometimes, a call comes for news or writing. You have to pick up the writing or news!

Among them, the online section of 'Ajakker Patrika' has been red-eyed for one of my articles. An article by Mazharul Islam Babla has also been damaged.

What did Babla write that was offensive?

He wrote that the army sent Sheikh Hasina to Delhi in a military helicopter. And not only by police firing, but also by militants with meticulous design, people were killed. Where is the untrue information here? Did Sheikh Hasina secretly escape by renting a helicopter? It was not Hasina's police who killed the student crowd, but who or what killed the police? It is completely inappropriate to fire cannons at the newspaper for writing this.

All in all, my situation at the newspaper is very delicate. Our polite Acting Editor unable to bear the pressure, has stopped talking with me.

What do I do now? Which path do I walk?

I write because I knew that journalism means courage. Revealing the truth means taking risks with your life. Five decades of experience have shown that to write the truth, you sometimes have to sacrifice your personal comfort. I never wanted that comfort. But I also didn't want to have to live with it for the rest of my life.

My journalist friend Mahbub Kamal thinks I have some big problem. Otherwise, even though he is now living a relatively secure life, why hasn't my uncertainty gone away? Actually, that's the case? Why doesn't my lack go away?

Mahbub Bhai got land from Sheikh Hasina, he also got cash in two installments for his treatment. Then his countless fans around the world donated to him freely on many occasions. He would have needed lakhs for his treatment, but he got crores. I am in a bad situation. I have no fans. But if I say that I don't get any loans at all, it would be untrue. I am still alive because I have some small donations.

Look again, Mahbub Kamal has two sons. They too, like their father, have passed the exams successfully and are doing good jobs at home and abroad. And I have a daughter and a son. They are talented as students but...

Why am I writing about Mahbub Kamal when there are so many people? Because I played a small role in his current position! I influenced Shafiq Rehman to bring Mahbub Kamal from Patgram to Dhaka for the work on 'Jay Jay Dine'. He is now the best journalist in the world just by writing 'Jay Jay Dine'.

I am a small person. My mind is also narrow. That is why everyone can hate me. But I am not a little hateful towards anyone. I do not even dream of harming anyone because I do not have the power to do good. I am aware of my own limitations. I am a person who knows very little, I know very well.

I have two children in my family without a wife. One daughter, one son. The children are also a little stupid like me. They are incompatible with the current times. The daughter is older. She has never failed any exam in her life. She became a doctor. She passed the BCS and got a job. She was trying to do MD in gastroenterology but got caught at the last minute. After the change of government, my talented daughter failed the thesis exam after falling under the department head's control. However, she is not even a seven or five in politics. She passed the clinical exam, but now she is waiting for the thesis again. In the meantime, who knows, she will be posted in some secluded area!

My son passed MME from BUET. Despite getting a scholarship to America, he could not go on time due to some physical problems. My son was diagnosed with Gulenberry syndrome at the age of four and fought for life and death for a few months, but survived. I have borne the burden of his expensive treatment. Despite passing many job exams in the country after passing BUET, he has not been confirmed for employment. I do not understand whether his name is the crime or me as a father.

Why this letter?

I don't really understand why I am writing this open letter. But for the past few days, my ears have been hearing bad words. My mind is also feeling restless. Mahbub Kamal, who tried to help me financially, has turned away, angered by my behavior.

Finally, I cannot help but express my gratitude to 'Prothom Alo' editor Matiur Rahman. I was an associate of Moti Bhai in Ektay. He was the one who connected me to 'Jay Jay Din' by telling Shafiq Rehman. He loved me and believed in me. He asked me to join his newspaper (then Bhorer Kagoj). He also came to my house. But I did not want to leave 'Jay Jay Din' at that time. There is no bigger mistake in my life than this. Moti Bhai, if you can, please forgive me.

I have no success stories in my life. Even as a journalist, I have not been able to achieve any solid results by trying so hard. I have a big deficiency somewhere. I have not been able to overcome this deficiency.

May sorrow be the last companion of my life. And may all the creatures of the world be happy.