Mosammat Masuka Begum (Nipu), the teacher who died from severe burns after a Bangladesh Air Force(BAF) training jet crashed into Milestone School and College in Uttara, Dhaka, was laid to rest in Ashuganj, Brahmanbaria on Tuesday.
Her funeral prayer was held at the Eidgah ground in Sohagpur village after Asr prayers. Although her paternal home was in Chhilikot village of Nabinagar upazila, Masuka was buried beside her sister’s home in Sohagpur, as per her final wish.
Masuka’s death has left her family and former colleagues devastated. Her father, Siddiq Ahmed Chowdhury, who lost his wife 15 years ago, is now grief-stricken after losing his youngest daughter, whom he considered his closest companion. “She used to call me every day. I sent her Tk 7,000–8,000 monthly for personal expenses,” he told reporters, barely holding back tears.
Her brother-in-law Khalilur Rahman said they had been searching for her since the crash. It was only through their relative, Dr Tasnova at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, that they learned Masuka had been admitted with 80 per cent burns. She passed away around 12:30am that night.
Her niece, Fahmida Khanam Nidhi, broke into tears while remembering her aunt. “She cared for all of us deeply. Now, who will look after us?” she cried.
Brahmanbaria Government College’s former English professor and current principal of Zillur Rahman Government College, Abu Hanifa, recalled Masuka as one of his most cherished students. He called on the government to investigate the tragedy thoroughly and ensure no repetition of such incidents.
Former English department students Shahadat Hossain and Saikul Islam offered prayers for Masuka and all others who died in the crash.
Speaking at the funeral, Ashuganj BNP President Haji Shahjahan Siraj said, “She died while protecting students. Masuka is a pride of the teaching community.” He urged the government to establish a memorial in her honour in Brahmanbaria.
Masuka was born in 1985 to the prominent Chowdhury family of Chhilikot village in Nabinagar. She was the youngest of three siblings. Her elder brother, Kawsar Ahmed Chowdhury, lives in the Middle East. Her elder sister, Papri Rahman, is married to Khalilur Rahman, former organisational secretary of the Ashuganj BNP.
Masuka completed her Honours in English from Brahmanbaria Government College in 2003–04. About 7–8 years ago, she joined Milestone School and College as an English teacher in the primary section. She was in class when the training aircraft hit the building on Monday. She succumbed to her injuries at the Burn Unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital that night. According to family sources, over 80 per cent of her body was burned. She was unmarried.