Profile

Educational and Service Background
Syed Zillur Rahman was educated in the premier college of Asia - the Presidency College Calcutta and obtained Master of Arts (History) degree from the Calcutta University, by standing second in order of merit. Joined Bengal Civil Service in 1943, as Deputy Magistrate and later switched on to All India Radio (War-time Broadcasting Station in Dhaka), in 1946, which was re-named to Radio Pakistan after partition of India on August 14, 1947. Served broadcasting both in East and West Pakistan for 27 years, as Regional Director (including national television for a couple of years). In between, went on deputation to Pakistan Council for National Integration as the Executive Director and headed 10 council centers in East and West Pakistan. For his outstanding services on electronic media in the Eastern wing during the Indo-Pakistan war in 1965 was given national award.

After the emergence of Bangladesh , as a sovereign, independent State, was appointed as Director General of National Academy of Fine and Performing Arts, with branches in all the 64 districts of the country. Retired from service in 1982, and joined the oldest and the largest circulated English daily - The Bangladesh Observer as Senior Editor. Popular as a political analyst for his weekly column titled "Men and Matters" - based on topical subjects of the week on national and international affairs which is published in The Bangladesh Observer every Saturday. Served also as communication consultant of the leading NGO in Dhaka "Save the Children (USA) for 10 years.

Training and Travel Abroad
Received training on broadcasting in the BBC, London under Fellowship Program in 1960. Went to the United States of America under Leadership Exchange Program and made coast to coast travels (14 States), obtained training in educational television in the Purdue University Indiana. Visited Art and Culture Centers, electronic and print media in the major cities of America, and delivering lectures on global context, and finally a ceremonial honor of receiving the gold key of the city of New Orleans and honorary citizenship of the city, presented by the Mayor of New Orleans.

Represented erstwhile Pakistan in 'SEATO' specialist broadcasting conference in Bangkok in 1964 and later undertook a tour of the country.

Accompanied the President of erstwhile Pakistan Field Marshall Md. Ayub Khan in 1966 on his first State visit to the then USSR for coverage of his visit on Radio and TV. Traveled widely in Moscow, Leningrad, Tashkand, Samarkand and Bokhara with him.

Went to the People's Republic of China as the leader of cultural delegation with 49 member 'Music and Dance' troop and staged our performance in all the major cities of China. Visited their Arts and Cultural Centers and exchanged greetings, also delivered lectures on folk music and dance at these centers. Received thumping ovations everywhere.

Accompanied the Pakistan president again on his State visits to four countries in a chain - France, Romania, Turkey and Iran in 1967, for media coverage of his visits and traveled with him in all their big cities.

Went to Edmonton, Canada as leader of cultural delegation from Bangladesh in 1978 to participate in the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth Arts Festival and stages performances of our music and dance troop in open-air stages in the sprawling city for a month.

On return from Canada, represented Bangladesh government in the 'UNESCO' conference held in Tokyo and Fiji Islands, on Asian arts and artifacts in 1978.

Again led cultural delegation to Hong Kong, to participate in the Asian Arts Festival joined by 16 Asian countries. Delivered lectures on Bangladesh arts and crafts in their international center. Led cultural delegation again to stage performances by Bangladeshi artists in the Asian Art Festival in 1980 in Hong Kong and from there proceeded to Japan to perform Bangladeshi music and dance program, in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka and for sightseeing of Japan's beautiful cities.

In 1981, went to London to attend Commonwealth Arts and conference and later a conducted tour of the London city and suburbs offered by the British Council.

In 1982, represented Bangladesh, attended the Commonwealth arts conference in Australia - Sydney, Brisbane and commonwealth heads of states and government conference in Melbourne. On return, went to North Korea leading a cultural delegation to attend President Kim Ill Sung's 77th birth anniversary. In September 1996 went to the U.S., to have an eye witness account of presidential race to the key to the white house, between the two giant contenders Bill Clinton and Senator Bob Dole. On return wrote a series of articles on the race and outcome which were published in the Bangladesh Observer. From there proceeded to Canada.

Personal
Mr. Rahman has three Sons and one daughter. The first, Mustafa Kamal Syed, is former Deputy Director General of the Bangladesh Television and presently working with private satelite channel NTV, the second, Yousuf Kamal Syed, General Manager Holiday Inn chain of hotels, Canada, the third, Ahmed Kamal Syed is a businessman and the daughter Rukhsana Samad was in teaching profession, now a housewife of a major industrialist of Bangladesh.

Photos

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