Teachers Maherin Chowdhury, Masuka Begum and Mahfuza Khanam, who were killed after a plane crashed into the Milestone School and College premises, will be remembered by the nation as unique examples of humanity and bravery, said Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus.
Speaking to family members of the three school teachers at the State Guest House Jamuna on Tuesday, he said, "Even though it has been a while, this memory is still imprinted on everyone."
He said he wanted to meet the families as soon as the incident happened, but that would not have been an appropriate time.
"We can express our condolences to you, but we do not have the power to erase this difficult memory. However, I can say this much: this grief is not yours alone. As a nation, we bear this grief," he said.
Present at the time were Maherin Chowdhury's husband Mansur Helal, two sons Adil Rashid and Ayan Rashid, sister Mehtaz Chowdhury, brother Munaf Mojib Chowdhury and close relative Kawsar Hossain Chowdhury; Masuka Begum's sister Papri Rahman and brother-in-law Khalilur Rahman; and Mahfuza Khatun's daughter Ayesha Siddika, sister Murshida Khatun, nephew Md Maidul Islam and close relative Humayun Kabir.
Maherin's husband, Mansur Helal, recalled speaking to her while she was being taken to the hospital.
"The scene I saw at the Burn Institute that day is beyond words. I wish no one has to experience that in their lives. I saw her, one side was completely burned."
He recalled some children telling him how "Miss" had pulled them out of the fire.
"I asked her, 'Why didn't you come out? Didn't you even think about your own two children?' She replied: 'They are also my children. How could I leave them alone?'"
Mahfuza Khatun's daughter Ayesha Siddika said, "My mother had recovered a lot. I thought I would return home with her. The day I put my mother in a wheelchair, I felt like I had conquered the world. Every day without my mother feels like a dream.
"I don't have a father, and now my mother is gone too. I have become an orphan. I have not been able to return to my home till now. How will I return home without my mother?"
Teacher Masuka Begum's brother-in-law Khalilur Rahman said, "She considered my sons and daughters as her own children. She would talk to them every day. Us and her school – that was her life."
Afterwards, CA Yunus said it was painful listening to the families' memories, but he also felt proud that there were citizens in Bangladesh who would jump into a fire to save the lives of others.
"These teachers are our pride, our role models. We have to keep their memory alive. Whatever needs to be done, we will do it," he said.
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