The creator of the hugely popular teenage mystery–adventure series Rakib Hasan, Three Detectives, has passed away. He breathed his last on Wednesday afternoon while undergoing treatment at Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital in Dhanmondi, Dhaka. Dr Mahibullah Khondkar, Vice-Principal of Gonoshasthaya Samajbhittik Medical College, said that Rakib Hasan had been receiving regular kidney dialysis at the hospital. “He came in for dialysis today as well, but he passed away shortly before the procedure could begin,” he said. Born on 12 December 1950 in Cumilla, Rakib Hasan spent his childhood in Feni due to his father’s transferable job. After completing his schooling in Feni, he enrolled at Cumilla Victoria College. Although he entered professional life after completing his studies, he could not settle into any conventional job. The regimented office life did not appeal to him; eventually, he left his job and devoted himself entirely to writing. His writing career began at Sheba Prokashoni, where he wrote more than four hundred books under his own name as well as pseudonyms. Early in his career, he translated world-famous classic works. He later went on to create several popular series, including Tarzan, Detective Raju, and Reza–Suja. Above all, however, it is the Three Detectives series that has made him immortal in the world of Bengali children’s literature. Through the adventures of Justin, Robi and Kishore, he coloured the childhoods of countless readers. A private man who shunned publicity yet was beloved by generations of readers, he will continue to live on in their hearts—just like the unforgettable characters he created.