I had that privilege. I came to know him quite well as the first Foreign Minister of an independent Bangladesh. I joined him in the Ministry as a Director General a few months after liberation, coming from London. Foreign Office then had only a few senior officers, as others had still been held back in Pakistan awaiting repatriation. As the Ministry had to be built almost from the scratch, those working there had to work hard, long and close. We had to burn much midnight oils, especially before a state visit either to or from the country. This made us work like a well-knit family. The task was accomplished under the able guidance of Foreign Minister Abdus Samad Azad and a top bureaucrat like Foreign Secretary Enayet Karim both of whom were not only easily accessible to all but encouraged consultation and relied on collective wisdom.

One of the pleasant duties of the Foreign Office was to secure recognition of the infant state of Bangladesh as a sovereign nation by various countries, some of which procrastinated, for various reasons. Soon after recognition by India and Bhutan, the East European states, including the Soviet Union, followed suit. Several of them promptly started rendering material help to the war-torn country, besides continuing to extend diplomatic support on international forums. Foreign Minister Azad was serious in his work and enjoyed it thoroughly. Prime Minister Shaikh Mujib wanted a high-level delegation to visit all these countries to convey to them grateful thanks from the government and people of Bangladesh. Foreign Minister Azad led the delegation and took Mr. Rahman Sobhan, Member of the Planning Commission, myself and Shafi Sami, Director of Foreign Minister's Office and later Ambassador and Foreign Secretary, in his entourage. It took 4 weeks to travel to the 7 countries, namely the Soviet Union, East Germany, Bulgaria, Rumania, Hungary, Czechoslovakia and, last but not least, Yugoslavia. It was during this long tour we really came to know well the simple, unassuming, affectionate and down-to-earth politician, diplomat and, above all, the man, Abdus Samad Azad.

Prime Minister had initially wanted me to lead the first Hajj delegation of Bangladesh, apparently, owing to political reasons, since Saudi Arabia had not yet recognized Bangladesh. Even our communication for arranging travel, accommodation and other related matters in respect of the pilgrims had to be routed through a third country, Egypt, whose President Anwar Saadat was friendly and helpful to Bangladesh. However, the Foreign Minister prevailed upon the Prime Minister to send a man regarded as more religious than me as Leader of the first Hajj Delegation. He was happy and took me, another happy person, along with him on the more relaxing but a less rewarding (for the next world) tour.

His role as an important leader of the Bangladesh government-in-exile was no less significant. He traveled far and wide explaining rationale of the creation of Bangladesh and beseeching nations for help and, later, recognition of the new-born state. He also went to the United Nations in late 1971, pleading with the UNGA delegates for the same purpose.

Among the many qualities attributed to the deceased was his keen sense of humour. Once, while I was in his office a telephone call came. He talked to someone and I could not help overhearing a part of the conversation. He was telling in jest to the man at the other end, "You are the Home Minister, who can take care of all matters inside the country and I am the Foreign Minister, who should be responsible for all affairs in foreign countries. What is the need for other Ministers and a large cabinet?" Again, he called the then American Consul General to his office and asked him how he was flying the star spangled banner (American national flag) on his car, since his government had not yet recognized Bangladesh. The Consul General demonstrated ready wit but in a non-chalant manner replied, "Your Excellency, it was because of your kindness." We all laughed and a potentially serious situation was averted in a lighter vein.

Given the present political culture in the country, it was extra-ordinary but heartening to witness that people of diverse background and belonging to opposing political parties buried their hatchet in paying homage to a man, whom they respected, loved and admired, though may be for different reasons. The passing away of Abdus Samad Azad is thus a grievous moment for us all and represents a reminder of the stark reality that the society becomes poorer with the loss of a noble soul of his stature.

The author is a former Ambassador and a member of BNP's Advisory Council.