Ekushey Padak award-winner  Polan Sarker, who spearheaded a library movement and promoted the habit of reading books in his locality by walking to village after village, passed away at his house in Rajshahi on Friday.

Sarkar was a resident of Bausa village in Bagha upazila of the district. He breathed his last around 12:30pm. He was 98 years old. Sarkar was suffering from various age-related complications over the past few days, his family members said.

He was awarded the prestigious Ekushey Padak for his dedication towards social welfare in 2011. Sarkar was born in Natore’s Bagatipara upazila on September 10, 1921. After the death of his father along with his mother, the family moved to his grandfather’s residence in Bagha of Rajshahi, said Haider Ali, Sarkar’s son. His original name was Harez Uddin, but he was well known as Palan Sarkar.

In 2008, he built a library on his own land at his village with assistance from the Rajshahi zila parishad. The library now has five different book distribution points at different villages. Following his inspiration for people to read books, some of the youths of his village joined him and organised a movement for reading books.

At the beginning, Sarkar used to give away books as gifts to school students who got the first ten ranks. He started his book distribution movement from there. Later, he used to distribute books among all students by walking to village after village. He was doing this for the past 30 years. For this, he was also known as ‘Alor Feriwala’ (‘the Vendor of Light’).

In September 20, 2014, to mark ‘Impact Journalism Day’, a story on Sarkar’s movement was published in various languages in various leading newspapers worldwide. ‘Sayanne Surjodoy’, a play, also later made on him.   

On receiving the news of his death, his well-wishers, admirers and friends began thronging his home.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Ekushey Padak recipient Palan Sarkar.

In a condolence message, the prime minister recalled Polan Sarkar’s contributions to building a movement for reading books in the country.

Sheikh Hasina prayed for the salvation of the departed soul and conveyed profound sympathy to the bereaved family.

Family sources said Sarkar was laid to rest at the family graveyard after his namaj-e-janaza was held at the local mosque after salat of Asar on Friday.