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Matubbar, Aroj Ali (1900-1985) self-taught philosopher,
was born on 17 December 1900 to a farming family in the village of Lamchari
in barisal
district. He studied for only a few months at the village maktab
but gathered knowledge on varied subjects through his own efforts. In
his spare time he began surveying land and soon developed exceptional
expertise in the mathematical and geometric calculations required for
it.
Essentially, Aroj Ali
was a rationalist and humanist who fought against ignorance, superstition,
and religious fundamentalism. He spoke of his conviction and experience
in more than one of his books. Despite his lack of formal schooling,
he wrote several books including Satyer Sandhan (1973), Sristirahasya
(1977), Anuman (1983) and Muktaman (1988). Several
of his unpublished manuscripts were published posthumously under
the title of Aroj Ali Matubbar Rachanabali.
Aroj Ali's writings reflect his philosophy about
life and the world in simple language.
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Aroj Ali Matubbar |
He believed in human welfare and the principle of a
world religion and instituted stipends for poor meritorious students,
established libraries and organised essay competitions. He donated his
own body and his eyes in the service of humanity. He was made a life member
of bangla
academy and was given a reception by it in 1985. He was also
awarded the Humayun Kabir Memorial Prize in 1978 by the bangladesh
lekhak shibir and an award of honour by the Barisal branch
of the bangladesh
udichi shilpigosthi in 1982. He died on 15 March 1985
at Barisal. [Pradip Kumar Roy]
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