Expatriate writer and journalist Dilara Hashem dies

Expatriate writer and journalist Dilara Hashem died on Saturday afternoon (March 19) in Maryland, USA, while being treated at Shady Grove Hospital in Maryland, USA. She was 86.

Rokeya Haider, former head of Voice of America and a one-time colleague of Dilara Hashem, confirmed the matter.

Dilara Hashem is a renowned Bangladeshi novelist. She was born on 21 August 1936 in Jashore. She graduated from Dhaka University in 1956 with a degree in English.

Her first novel, Ghar Man Janala, was published in 1965 and was made into a film in 1973. She has been working in the Bangla section of Voice of America since 1976 and retired in 2011.

In recognition of his special contribution in the field of literature, she was awarded many prizes and honors including the Bangla Academy Award in 1976.

Dilara Hashem used to read Bangla news regularly from the then Radio Pakistan Karachi for a long time. Later she also read news on Dhaka Betar and Television.

As a writer, Dilara Hashem has left the signature of her rare and exceptional talent. Her famous novels include Ghar Mon Janala (1965), Ekoda abong Ananta (1975), Stabdhatta Kane Kane (1977), Amalkir Mou (1978), Shankha Karat (1995). There are also some novels, short story books and poetry books.