The life and legacy of Polan Sarkar

Ekushey Padak winner Polan Sarkar, affectionately called Alor Ferrywala, a torch bearer, was best known as a kind soul who distributed books for free among people, died on Friday 1st march 2019, but left a legacy that will be remembered for years to come.

The 98-year-old had been suffering from old-age complications. He passed away surrounded by his loved ones at his home of Bausha village in Bagha upazila of Rajshahi. Born in August 1, 1921, Polan Sarkar's real name is Harez Uddin. He was born in Bagatipara, Natore.

Financial troubles of his family could not hamper his passion for reading and learning. He loved books. As a boy, Polan borrowed books from wherever he could, and voraciously read them.

He established a school in his village in 1965 after receiving some inheritance from his grandfather. In 1990, he decided a yearly award for students of the school who would top the merit list. The prize was, of course, books. Other students expressed their desire to read as well. He gave them the condition that the students must return the books to him upon finishing, so he could lend the books to other students as well. Eventually, local adults started borrowing books from his collection as well.

He established a school in his village in 1965 after receiving some inheritance from his grandfather. In 1990, he decided a yearly award for students of the school who would top the merit list. The prize was, of course, books. Other students expressed their desire to read as well. He gave them the condition that the students must return the books to him upon finishing, so he could lend the books to other students as well. Eventually, local adults started borrowing books from his collection as well.

He had been admired in Rajshahi for a long time, but gained nationwide recognition after being featured in Bangladesh Television's popular show Ittadi in December 29, 2006.

He won the Ekushey Padak in 2011, Bangladesh's second-highest civilian award, for his contribution to society. (Adapted from: The Dhaka Tribune, 1st march 2019)

1. voracious
2. diagnose
3. hamper
4. inherit
5. recognition
6. legacy

1. to find out the cause of a disease
2. having a great appetite for anything
3. anything handed down from the past (as from an ancestor or predecessor)
4. to receive the ownership of a property
5. acknowledgement
6. to disturb a progress