Dhaka, Jan. 31 -- It was on a December day that I first met him. There was something of the stern-looking about him as he asked me if I could write an editorial in the half hour ahead. I said I could. It was something I should not have said, for there was the distinct possibility that I would fail to meet the deadline. Besides, I had never before written an editorial. In the event, though, the gods came in to help. The editorial was ready in fifteen minutes. Waheedul Haque smiled, gave me a cup of tea and then took me to Barrister Mainul Hosein. I walked out with an appointment letter in my hand, thrilled that I was officially a journalist.

In the times after that exciting moment in my life, I travelled all across this city with Waheed B...