Published : 28 Aug 2026, 11:55 PM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:36 AM
Shyamol Uddin Majhi has three daughters. After a long time working in Saudi Arabia, he had planned to return home to Rajshahi’s Bagmara for the wedding of his second daughter. But after a deadly fire at the factory in which he worked, Shyamol has made the journey home in a coffin.
The body reached Marugram Dangapara village in Jhikra Union around 3am on Friday. Shyamol’s wife, three daughters, family members, and neighbours were waiting for its arrival. The air was heavy with their lamentations and grief.
Rahat Ali, a neighbour, said: “The family members were waiting for Shyamol to return home after eight long years. Preparations were underway for his daughter’s wedding. But now he is back, not as a living person, but a dead body.”
The 46-year-old Shyamol moved to Saudi Arabia about eight years ago in the hope of restoring his family’s fortunes. He worked in a sofa-making factory in the Manfuhah area. On Aug 9, he was among the 16 Bangladeshi workers killed when a massive fire broke out at the factory.
His body arrived in Bangladesh on Thursday on board a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight. It was then taken to his house in Bagmara.
Shyamol’s funeral was held there around 11am on Friday. Many relatives, neighbours and local residents came to pay their respects. The village was awash with he tears of the grieving.
Shyamol was then buried in the family graveyard.
Locals have called on the government, public representatives, wealthy individuals, and expatriate welfare associations to stand by Shyamol’s bereaved family.
Local union council Chairman and neighbour Rafiqul Islam Rafiq said, "Shyamol was the sole earner of the family. He has three daughters and no sons. His death has plunged the family into uncertainty.
"Therefore, the family has sought the necessary support from the prime minister and local public representatives to secure the family's future and to become financially independent."
