Under the scorching midday sun, hundreds of people gathered to bid a final farewell to poet and children's author Akhtar Hussain.

His mortal remains were brought to the Central Shaheed Minar at 10:00 AM on Friday.

Floral tributes were paid by the Bangladesh Chhatra Union, Bangladesh Trade Union Kendra, Liberation War Museum, Bangladesh Udichi Shilpi Gosthi, Kendrio Khelaghar, Communist Party of Bangladesh, Satyen Sen Shilpi Gosthi, and the National Education-Culture Movement.

Recalling memories of his father, Promit Hussain said, "My father was a deeply humane person. One night, he returned home without his shirt. When we asked, 'Father, why are you shirtless?' he replied, 'I saw a boy on the street who had been beaten up and his shirt torn; so, I gave him mine.' He always loved people and wished the best for everyone."

He added, "During his final illness, my father had lost hope. He was deeply pained by the destitute condition of his fellow artists. We have seen that many artists in Bangladesh lack the financial means even for basic medical treatment.

"That is why my father’s final wish was that no other artist should have to endure such hardship. It is our hope that you will stand by the artists."

Taslima Akter, who came from Bailey Road to pay her respects, said, "Akhtar Bhai was an inspiration to us. He contributed to so many fields—literature, politics, music. The passing of such a person is deeply painful for us."

Rajib Hasan, a former leader of the Chhatra Union, said, "Our time with the Chhatra Union was a golden era. We had the opportunity to learn from extraordinary people, and Akhtar Bhai was one of them." “Whenever I faced any uncertainty, I would go to Akhtar Bhai. Often, I would call him. He would gruffly say, ‘Yes, tell me.’ Then, he would provide guidance on what to do or the appropriate course of action. Today, I have lost a political mentor.”

At the final farewell ceremony held at the Shaheed Minar, Akhtar Hussain was commemorated with the rendition of the national anthem and the Chhatra Union’s anthem. Subsequently, the police accorded a guard of honour to this heroic freedom fighter.

Following the paying of tributes, his body was sent to Sirajganj around 11:30 AM. He will be laid to rest there, beside his wife's grave.

Akhtar Hussain passed away on Thursday afternoon at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University due to complications, including a brain haemorrhage. He had long been suffering from heart disease and uncontrolled diabetes.

Akhtar Hussain wrote for children and adolescents for over six decades. He authored more than a hundred books, including collections of rhymes, original children's literature, biographies, translations, and edited volumes.

He also holds the record for contributing the highest number of entries to the five-volume ‘Shishu-Vishwakosh’ (Children's Encyclopedia) published by the Bangladesh Shishu Academy.

His notable books include *Samudra Anek Boro*, *Ramdhanuker Sanko*, *Ultopalta*, *Halchal*, *Amar Duto Dana*, *O Hawa O Hawa*, *Paji Beraler Shasti*, *Freedom Fighter*, *Karnakusum o Kalopakhar Projapati*, *Khelaghorer Putulgulo*, and *Chhotoder Charon Kobi Mukundadas*.

In recognition of his contributions to literature, Akhtar Hussain received numerous honours, including the Bangla Academy Award, Agrani Bank-Shishu Academy Children's Literature Award, Alaol Literary Award, Bhasha Shahid Abdul Jabbar Memorial Medal, the 'Freedom Fighter Pen-Soldier' ​​honour from the Faculty of Business Studies at Dhaka University, Moniruddin Yusuf Literary Award, M Nurul Kader Children's Literature Award, and the Bazlur Rahman Memorial Medal. Akhtar Hussain, a Fellow of the Bangla Academy, was a founding member of the Bangladesh Udichi Shilpogoshthi. He wrote and directed many of the organization's early plays.

As an organizer for the children's organization 'Khelaghar', Akhtar Hussain played a significant role in the country's cultural movement.

He penned the organizational songs for the Chhatra Union—"Amra to oikyer drirho bole boliyan, shoshoner karagar bhangboi" (We are empowered by the strength of unity; we shall shatter the prison of exploitation)—and for Khelaghar—"Amra to shoinik, shantir shoinik" (We are soldiers, soldiers of peace).