Ranjit Kumar Bishwas, the former senior secretary for Cultural Affairs and a prominent sports writer, passed away in Chittagong yesterday. He was 60.

He was found dead in his hotel room at the Chittagong Circuit House at about 5:30. He went to the port city to attend a family programme. Ranjit is survived by his wife and daughter.

After finishing his studies from Chittagong University he joined the Bangladesh Civil Service and served the Bangladesh government for many years before retiring as the senior secretary of Cultural Affairs two years ago.

He had a keen interest in sports writing since the 70s and wrote his first sports based write-up in the Daily Ittefaq named headlined -- “Triple Centuries in Test Cricket.”

From 1977, he was a regular contributor in the fortnightly magazine Krirajagat on various issues. He wrote three books on Bengali literature and a number of essays and articles on cricket. In recognition, he received several awards such as the lifetime achievement award from the Bangladesh Sports Press Association, Palok Sahittya Puroshkar and monthly Mohammedan Sports Award.