Latifur Rahman, one of the most successful and inspirational businessmen of Bangladesh and the Chairman and CEO of one of the biggest business conglomerates in the country Transcom Group, passed away in his sleep on June 01, 2020 – the same day on which his grandson Faraaz embraced martyrdom during an attack orchestrated by some ruthless young terrorists in the Holey Artisan café located in Gulshan a few years ago.

Business community as well as cross-sections of people were equally shocked when they heard about the demise of this man. He will always be remembered by his fellow countrymen and especially those who somehow were related to him owing to some of his unique qualities. So, what are those attributes that make his stand out from others? Read on to find out:

1. He was a pure gentleman

There are so many businessmen in this country and many of them often hit the headlines for their rogue behavior. But no one can cite a single instance when Latifur Rahman was ever seen or caught misbehaving with anyone, even with his subordinates. He was a pure gentleman who used to open up rarely, but once he opened up, he used to put his heart out in sheer simplicity.

2. He was an epitome of honesty

No one ever had the chance to question his honesty. Whatever he did, he did with cent percent honesty. He has expanded his business gradually, but he had done it adopting integrity, not any mischief or kickbacks. Consequently, Transcom now has 16 operational entities from medicine, foods, lighting, electronics to media. This visionary man had also popularized international chains in Bangladesh. Transcom is the local business partner of international brands Pizza Hut, KFC and PepsiCo.

3. He was very employee-friendly

People working in his business entities are utterly shocked by his departure as they know he was probably the most employee-friendly businessman at the moment in Bangladesh. There are about 17,000 employees working in different business concerns of Transcom Group and you will be surprised to know that they are paid and provided other benefits as per the company policy on a regular basis. There is no honkey-ponkey when it comes to the workers’ salary and other benefits in this business group.

4. He envisioned and materialized the dream of independent newspapers

The biggest contribution of this great man to the people of this country was probably the creation of the two best newspapers – the Daily Star and Prothom Alo – whose independent editorial policy has always stood by the side of the people and raised voice in favour of the people whenever there has been any incongruity. Mahfuz Anam, the editor and publisher of the Daily Star, said in one of his articles dedicated to this late businessmen, “He was an editor’s dream of an investor. But he turned out to be so much more. Yes, Matiur Rahman and I run the two papers — Prothom Alo and The Daily Star respectively — but it was he who made them happen, with his principles, integrity, courage, steadfastness, strength of character, and unswerving faith in independent media without which, he intuitively knew, that democracy could not flourish.”

There is a saying – great men don’t die, they live through their works. Latifur Rahman is definitely one of those men who will also be remembered by people because of his good deeds and visionary ideas even after hundred years from now.