Dhaka, Oct. 23 -- The plans were taking shape. Meetings had mapped out the celebrations, a commemorative publication was in the works, and the event's design was being finalised. Editor-in-Chief Toufique Imrose Khalidi had chosen a motto for the occasion: "Pioneering, Independent, Fearless -- Beyond 20 Years!"

Then, 21 days before the milestone, he was gone.

On Friday, bdnews24.com marks its 20th anniversary, two decades after helping bring Bangladesh's news industry into the digital age. But the occasion arrives under the shadow of the death of the man who led its transformation.

Khalidi died on Oct 2, aged 59, leaving behind a newsroom preparing to celebrate the institution he had built.

The grand anniversary event has been postpone...