Salahuddin Bhai no more….

Engineer Salahuddin Ahmed Ayubi of the first batch (Bangladesh Marine Academy) passed away on Sunday afternoon in Bashundhara City, Dhaka (Inahlillahi……..razeun). He has been suffering from various ailments (diabetes, kidney problem, eyesight degradation) for a long time and was taken into Apollo Hospital’s Intensive Care a few weeks ago. No one but his immediate family members were allowed to visit him. His Namaje Janaja was carried out after Isha in Boshundhara residential Area.

After the tears have dried and the goodbyes have been said, all we have to hold onto are the happy memories that we’ve shared with our loved ones who have passed, this is what keeps them alive in our hearts and in our minds, and they will continue to live on, through us. Our condolences to his family for this loss.

Salahuddin Bhai’s mobile number was: +880 1715 222 999; Residence: +880 2 8960 301, if anyone wants to convey their condolences.

Salahuddin Bhai was quite active in the Bangladesh Marine Academy Alumni matters. He strongly advocated safeguarding the Academy and the cadets who graduated from there. Amongst many positions, he took strongly against the formation of the new Maritime Univeristy in Bangladesh as he felt, it would undermine the Bangladesh Marine Academy. He also advocated quality education in the Academy, guaranteeing jobs after graduation and curtailing the mushrooming business of the private academies.

After leaving sea, Salahuddin Bhai joined BSC where his job was elevated to an Engineering Superintendent. Later, he was involved in the Shipping and Survey business with his fellow classmates from the first batch (Captain Jalil). He also partnered as an Engineering consultant with Mr. Zahedul Islam.

Mubashir Ahmed Khan (2E) memorializes Salahuddin Ahmed (1E)

9 April 2020

 IN  MEMORY  OF LATE  SALAHUDDIN  AHMAD  (1E)

     I joined Marine Academy as junior cadet on 1^st of October, 1963.  I was placed in Mizzen Top in which late Salahuddin was the Cadet Captain.  Late Ali  Sarwar was our Leading Cadet and Shahab Razzaque , the Senior Cadet Captain.  Late Salahuddin had passed his ISc. From Cadet College Chittagong.  Salahuddin was a smart cadet and good leader. Personally he was always nice to me.

     When I joined BSC as Chief Engineer in April, 1981, late Salahuddin was Senior Engineer Superintendent.  During my service with BSC, Salahuddin resigned from BSC and set up his own marine business company.( His Post in BSC was taken by late A F Mohammadullah (1E)).  I met him a few times in his  office in Chittagong and always found him warm and friendly.  Once I asked him casually what jobs his company was doing.  His answer was, “we do everything related to merchant ships.”

     It was towards the end of 1990, when my Ship  M V Alps was anchored at Outer Anchorage after discharging cargo in Chittagong Port.  Unfortunately one night, most of our ropes were stolen.  Without ropes, it was impossible to sail for next port Kolkata.  Myself and Captain visited some marine stores in Chittagong to buy ropes but were not successful. It occurred to me that late Salahuddin could solve our problem.  By coincidence, his office and our Agent’s office were in the same building in Chittagong.  Salahuddin very kindly arranged two white nylon ropes to be delivered to our Ship from a bonded store  on payment of 1100 dollars. One custom officer was also present on the boat which brought the ropes to the Ship. ( these two ropes were equivalent to four ropes if both ends were used.)

      Following the theft of our ropes, we asked the Agent to lodge a police report.  His answer was interesting. He said, “ though your ship is at the Outer Anchorage but officially you have sailed out from Chittagong  so there is no logic in reporting to the police. Later we took the matter to Salahuddin for his advice. What he said was even more interesting. He stated, “we ourselves are not very clear as to who controls the Outer Anchorage!”

     Late Salahuddin was a prominent mariner and truly professional.  Once I visited  his house in the evening and found him writing  a technical report. Salahuddin will Insha Allah be always in our memory.  May his soul rest in peace. Amen

     Mubashir Ahmed Khan (2E)                         London     09.04.2020

     Email. [email protected]            Mob. 07474706732

An email from Mr. CF Zaman (2E)

From: ‘C. f. Zaman’ via BD Mariners [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Saturday, April 25, 2020 5:38 AM
To: [email protected]; Zill Rahman <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [BDMariners] Re: IN MEMORY OF LATE SALAHUDDIN AHMAD (1E)

Assalam O Alaikum.

I am most thankful to my dear batch mate Chief Engineer Mubashir Ahmed Khan for an excellent write-up about our late respected senior Chief Engineer Salahuddin Ahmed from Batch #1 of Bangladesh Marine Academy. I have numerous fond memories of my association and camaraderie with Salahuddin Bhai (that’s what I used to call him in those days). He and I studied together in Faujderhat Cadet College from 1960 although he was senior to me by a year. We would travel together to Dhaka by train when we came home on leave from the college and go back together. At Dhaka, I would spend time with him in his house or my house ‘gop-shopping’ on various topics. He joined Marine Academy in 1962 and he was my inspiration to join the Academy as well and I have not regretted a single moment since for having followed his footsteps. Eventually, in early 1979 I was inducted into BSC management as Deputy Engineer Superintendent and again Salahuddin Sir, being already the Engineer Superintendent, guided me in my job. He was like a mentor to me. Revered Zahedur Rahman Sir was the Technical Director then. Salahuddin Sir and I  also left BSC more or less at the same time in 1982.

I can clearly recall that from the early days of 1972, some of us mariners who were in Dhaka at the time, being very afraid of what would become of our careers, formed an Association (the precursor of the present day Bangladesh Merchant Marine Officer’s Association) with Salahuddin Sir taking the main lead. Some of us, amongst many others, actively involved were Late 2/E Mr. Golam Mohiuddin (01), Capt. Mozammel Haq (01), C/E Faiz Biswas (02) C/E MA Majid (03) and myself. We would hold strategy meetings in our homes and together would regularly call upon the Minister for Shipping, Secretary and other functionaries to pressurize them to do something about shipping in Bangladesh and all the unemployed Bangladeshi mariners. We would like to think that in some minor way we have been instrumental in the formation of BSC by Presidential Ordinance of May 1972. In those days, our revered seniors Capt. QABM Rahman Sir and Capt. Shafi Ahmed Sir were at the helm of shipping affairs in Bangladesh.

I also clearly recall the time when we went to take delivery of the mv. “Banglar Doot” at Calcutta in June (?) 1972. Mr. Salahuddin Ahmed was the 2nd Engineer and lead a team of Bangladeshi engineers including myself for the repairs and take over of the ship at the Garden Reach docks. We were staying at the Seaman’s Hostel at Garden Reach and would commute every day to the ship to supervise the repairs and surveys. It was a trying time for all of us but Mr. Salahuddin Ahmed kept our spirits up by his enthusiasm and his subtle humor which we enjoyed very much. I am attaching a rare group photo taken on board the ship when Field Marshal MAG Osmani visited the ship at Chittagong on her maiden voyage under the Bangladesh Flag. You may find the photograph very interesting. Many in the photo are no longer living but their indominable spirit still lives on. 

Thank you for your patience in reading this long story. I had many more things to say but this is not the time and place to say these. Lastly, I salute all Bangladeshi mariners, the pioneers and the seniors, who have set a proud tradition in shipping which continues to this date.

With kind regards to all,

C. F. Zaman (02/E Dhaka) 

Some photos

1. 

   SHAHEED AHMED 10TH BATCH. says:

   May 27, 2015 at 4:11 am

   INNALILLAHE WAH INLLAHE RAJEUN.
2. 

   Sajid Hussain says:

   April 25, 2020 at 10:11 pm

   May Allah bless such a legendary personality of our Maritime Bangladesh with Jannatul Ferdous. I was lucky enough to get his guidance at the beginning of my sea career since 1980 in BSC. Hope that he will remain live in every Bangladeshi Mariner’s heart.