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Published : 19 Aug 2025, 09:29 PM
Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus said the three teachers who died trying to save lives in the Milestone School and College jet crash will remain forever etched in the nation’s collective memory as symbols of courage and humanity.
The teachers -- Meherin Chowdhury, Masuka Begum and Mahfuza Khatun -- died after the tragic Air Force jet accident involving students and staff from the institution.
The interim prime minister said their bravery and humanity in that moment would stand as an enduring example.
Yunus met their families at the State Guest House Jamuna on Tuesday, where he listened to their memories and shared the nation’s grief, according to a statement from his office.
In attendance were Maherin’s husband Mansur Helal, their two sons, Adil Rashid and Ayan Rashid, her sister Mehetaj Chowdhury, brother Munaf Majiib Chowdhury, and close relative Kawsar Hossain Chowdhury.
Joining Masuka’s family were her sister Papri Rahman and brother-in-law Khalilur Rahman.
From Mahfuza’s side attended her daughter Ayesha Siddika, sister Murshida Khatun, nephew Md Maidul Islam, and relative Humayun Kabir.
“The memory of this tragedy remains vivid among all of us,” Yunus said. “I wanted to meet you as soon as I learned of the news, but I believed it was not appropriate in the immediate aftermath.
“We can extend our condolences, but we cannot erase this painful memory. Even so, know that this sorrow is not yours alone -- our nation shares it with you.”
He invited the families to recount their personal memories of the teachers.
Mansur remembered the last conversation with his wife as she was taken for treatment. “The scene at the burn institute is indescribable. One side of her body was completely burnt,” he said.
He recounted how some children, mildly injured, told him: “‘Miss pulled us out! She was unharmed! Why did this happen to her?’”
“I asked her ‘Why didn’t you leave? Didn’t you have your own children to think of?’ She replied ‘They are also my children. How could I leave them behind?’ People of every faith prayed for her. She was selfless.”
After 24 days of treatment at the National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute, Mahfuza Khatun passed away on Aug 14.
Her daughter Ayesha wept as she spoke: “My mother had begun to recover; I thought I would take her home. When I sat her in a wheelchair, I felt I had conquered the world. Each day without her now feels like a nightmare.
“I have no father; now my mother is gone. I am an orphan. I haven’t been able to return home. How can I go back without her?”
Khalilur, Masuka’s brother-in-law, spoke of her compassion: “My sister-in-law was always in touch with her father and her unwell sister, helping with their treatment.
“She sent money to her father regularly. She treated my children as her own and spoke to them daily. Her life was divided between family and school.”
Listening to their accounts, Yunus said: “It is painful to hear, but also a source of pride that our country has such citizens who risked their lives to save others from the flames.
“They proved what humanity means. We were small, but they made us greater. Everyone has felt this inside -- if I were in that position, what would I have done? Would I have risked my life for those children? That question has touched everyone.”
“Those teachers are our pride and our role models. We must preserve their memory. We will do whatever it takes to honour them.”
