Staff Correspondent

The council of advisers today adopted a condolence motion on the death of Civil Aviation, Tourism and Land Adviser AF Hassan Ariff.

The condolence motion was adopted at a special meeting of the council held at the Chief Adviser's Office (CAO) here.

Forest, Environment and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan placed the condolence motion at the meeting, which was adopted unanimously.

Speaking at the meeting, Rizwana said Hassan Ariff would be buried at Mirpur Martyrs' Intellectual Graveyard at 10:30 am tomorrow next to the grave of Bir Shreshtha Hamidur Rahman.

At the onset of the meeting, a minute-silence was observed in respect to the memory of Adviser Hassan Ariff.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and other advisers paid tribute to the late adviser.

The Chief Adviser said: "Today I am recalling many small utterances; he (Ariff) always reminded me - we are of the same age. He behaved naively like children."

He said if Hassan Ariff saw any conflict, he would have appeared to resolve it. "This wonderful man has left us," he added.

Finance and Planning Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed said Hassan Ariff was a rare personality with a smiling face.

Remembering the works and life of the late adviser, Jute Textiles and Shipping Adviser M Sakhawat Hossain said he was personally deeply saddened by the death of Hassan Ariff.

Social Welfare, Women and Children Affairs Adviser Sharmeen S Murshid said a beautiful relationship had developed with him after coming to work (as adviser) as he was an inspiration for all.

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter said, "We miss Hassan Ariff at our advisers' council meeting today. In his absence, we face an irreparable loss."

Housing and Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan highlighted his work experience with Hassan Ariff as a lawyer and said he was always vocal in protecting human rights.

Adilur said Hassan Ariff also worked as the founding vice-president of rights organisation Odhikar.

Law and Justice and Expatriates Welfare Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul said Hassan Ariff was a dedicated and hardworking person and he used to scrutinise all documents thoroughly.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain said the late adviser never took any work lightly.

Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said Hassan Ariff was an amiable person, while any issue could be resolved in consultation with him.

Energy and Road Transport Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan said: "There are many divisions in our society. The number of people who can bridge the divisions is gradually diminishing. He was accepted by all quarters."

Recalling Hassan Ariff's role in the signing of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord in 1997, Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Adviser Supradip Chakma said the late adviser thought of the people of the CHT and the people of the hill region would remember him.

Local Government and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain said: "I got to know Hassan Ariff when I joined the advisers' council, and I always found him beside me like a teacher."

Information and Broadcasting Adviser Nahid Islam said: "While working with him, I never understood the difference of our ages. He used to mix with everyone sincerely."

Food Adviser Ali Imam Majumder said Hassan Ariff sincerely worked in organising a participatory election in 2008. "This time too, he worked with utmost dedication," he added.

Cabinet Secretary Sheikh Abdur Rashid, Civil Aviation Secretary Nasreen Jahan and Land Secretary ASM Saleh Ahmed also spoke at the meeting.