Teacher Maherin Sacrifices Her Life to Save 20 Students

Melbourne, July 23 – A tragic and heart-wrenching incident unfolded on Monday at Milestone College in Uttara, Dhaka, Bangladesh. A training aircraft crashed into part of the college building, igniting a fire and causing panic and chaos. Amidst the mayhem, one teacher, Maherin Chowdhury, displayed extraordinary courage—saving the lives of at least 20 students.

However, this brave and compassionate teacher could not save herself. She was critically injured in the incident and was taken to the National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute. Despite being placed on life support, Maherin passed away on Monday night. Dr. Shawon Bin Rahman, Resident Surgeon at the Burn Institute, confirmed her death to the media.

According to students and eyewitnesses, Maherin Chowdhury was in a classroom when the aircraft crashed and fire engulfed a portion of the building. As thick smoke spread and panic took over, the young students were terrified and disoriented. Risking her own life, Maherin acted swiftly and selflessly. She calmed the students and guided them to safety, one by one.

Thanks to her brave efforts, at least 20 students were rescued unharmed or with only minor injuries. After ensuring their safety, she was unable to make it out herself. Fire service personnel later rescued her in a severely burned condition. Despite all efforts, her injuries proved fatal.

Her tragic death has cast a shadow of mourning across the country. Social media is flooded with tributes, praising Maherin’s unparalleled sense of duty and bravery—a symbol of selfless dedication to her students.

Sakib, a current student at the University of Dhaka and a former student of Milestone College, told Deshkal News Dot Com:
“Maherin Ma’am’s sacrifice has shattered the hearts of both former and current students of Milestone. Her extraordinary bravery and sense of responsibility will forever remain a shining example. She wasn’t just a teacher inside the classroom—she was a true protector, saving 20 lives at the cost of her own. Her legacy will live on.”

Former student Amrin Tisha said: “Today, we lost a truly devoted educator. But her sacrifice will inspire future generations to be brave, responsible, and selfless. We will never forget her heroism. We pray for her eternal peace and express our deepest sympathy to her family, colleagues, and students during this sorrowful time.”

On Tuesday at 4 p.m., Maherin was laid to rest beside her parents’ graves in the family cemetery at Chowdhurypara, Ward 3 of Jaldhaka Municipality in Nilphamari. Her grandparents, Zamindar Mojibur Rahman Chowdhury and Roushanara Begum, are also buried nearby.

Earlier, at 4:30 a.m., her first funeral prayer was held at Gausul Azam Jame Masjid in Uttara’s Sector 13.

Her two sons, Ayaan Raheed Miyyad Chowdhury and Adil Raheed Mahib Chowdhury, are devastated by the loss of their mother. Her husband, Monsur Ali Helal, is overwhelmed with grief.

In a voice choked with tears, Monsur Ali Helal recounted:
“My last moments with her were at the hospital. She was lying in the ICU, and when she saw me, she pulled my hand close to her chest and whispered, ‘We won’t see each other again.’ I tried to hold her hand, but her body was so badly burned that I couldn’t even touch her properly.”

He added:
“I asked her, ‘Didn’t you think about your own two children?’ She replied, ‘They’re my children too. How could I leave them behind in danger?’ I did everything I could to save her, but I couldn’t. My two little boys are now motherless.”

Her sons, Ayaan and Adil, said:
“We are proud of our mother. She didn’t think about herself or even about us—she only thought about her duty. She took a life-threatening risk to protect her students. Our mother is a true warrior.”