Actor and founder chairman of Nirapad Sarak Chai (Nischa) Ilias Kanchan has urged people across the country to carry forward the movement for safer roads. He also said he is currently physically unwell and sought prayers for his recovery.
Kanchan made the remarks at the 11th national convention of Nirapad Sarak Chai at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka on Friday morning (7 August).
“Thirty-three years ago, I turned a deep personal tragedy into a movement to save people’s lives. Today, that movement has become a movement of the people across the country. This is no longer Ilias Kanchan’s movement; it belongs to the people of Bangladesh,” he said.
Speaking about his health, Kanchan said, “I am currently physically unwell. I sincerely seek the prayers of the people of Bangladesh. May Almighty Allah grant me a speedy recovery and give me the strength to once again work actively for the people and the movement for safer roads.”
Wishing the people of Bangladesh good health, safety, peace and prosperity, Kanchan called on the government, administration, public representatives, transport owners and workers, engineers, researchers, teachers, students, the media and every conscious citizen to join the movement for safer roads.
“We are not opponents of one another. We are all fellow fighters working to save human lives. I have handed my dream over to you. Even if I am not there, you will play your part in making roads safer,” he said.
Kanchan returned to Bangladesh on Monday after more than 15 months of treatment in the United Kingdom. He has been undergoing treatment in London since April last year after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.
He received treatment at hospitals in London and at the home of his daughter, Ema Islam. In August last year, he underwent brain surgery at a London hospital. Doctors removed a large part of the tumour but could not remove it completely because of the risks involved. They later informed him that he had brain cancer.
After the surgery, Kanchan began a lengthy course of treatment. He first underwent three consecutive months of chemotherapy, followed by oral therapy.
According to his family, he underwent more than 60 chemotherapy sessions during the 12-week treatment, receiving treatment five days a week. After completing the first three-month phase of oral therapy, he underwent another three months of oral therapy in the second phase. Across three phases, Kanchan received around 100 chemotherapy sessions in total.
