Speakers and well-wishers of poet Hayat Saif pay respect with a moment’s silence to late poet Hayat Saif during a memorial event in Dhaka on Monday, May 20, 2019 Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka TribuneThe poet was awarded the Ekushey Padak, the second highest civilian award of the country, in 2018Ekushey Padak-winning poet Hayat Saif will always be remembered for his creativity and unique work, speakers said at an event yesterday. Presiding over the event, HT Imam, political adviser to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and also Hayat's cousin, said among all the poets of his era, Hayat Saif was unique. Praising, the poet, he said: "As a government official, Hayat performed his duties well while also writing beautiful poems. Public servant Saiful Islam Khan, who used to write under the pen-name of Hayat Saif, passed away on May 13. Born in 1942 in Dhaka, a young Hayat started his journey as an author and poet in the 1960s.

Source: Dhaka Tribune May 20, 2019 17:48 UTC