Dhaka: The body of Ekushey Padak-winning Bengali poet Shahid Qadri was taken to Central Shaheed Minar from the airport on Wednesday morning.

The poet’s coffin was placed at the Shaheed Minar premises at about 11:00am, where fans, admirers and people from all lifestyles paid homage to him.

Dhaka University vice-chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddiqu, Prime Minister’s special assistant Mahbub Alam Shakil, Prime Minister Military secretary Zainal Abedin, Peoples Solidarity Movement’s convener Zonayed Saki, Poet Abdus Samad, Poet Abdul Hakim Abir, theatre activists Mamunur Rashid, Remendu Majumdur were also paid last tribute to the poet.

Shahid Qadri will be buried at Martyred Intellectuals Graveyard in Mirpur. His namaj-e-janaza will be offered at Dhaka University central mosque after Zuhr prayer.

Earlier, in the morning, the body arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka from New York.

A plane of Emirates Airlines, carrying the poet’s remains, reached the airport at about 8:45pm.

Shahid Qadri died at a New York hospital on 28 August morning at the age of 74.

He received prestigious Ekushey Padak in 2011 for his contribution to the Bengali language and literature and he was awarded Bangla Academy Award in 1973 for his poetry.

He had published five books of poetry which are Uttaradhikar (1967), Tumake Abhibadan Priyatama (1974), Prem Biraha Bhalobasar Kabita, Kothayo Kono Krondon Nai and Amar Chombongulo Pouchhaya Deo.