Jiaul Haque Shajib, 22, known as ‘Master Shajib’, even being a drop out from college due to economic crisis dared to take up teaching profession by opening a coaching center just three months before the tragic train accident in Mirsharai upazila in Chattogram that claimed his and ten more young lives.
On Friday, eleven people, all aged between 20 to 30, died after a speeding express train hit the microbus carrying them at a level crossing in Mirsharai. Seven of them were SSC and HSC examinees, while three of them were young teachers from a coaching center named ‘R&J Private Care’ and another was the microbus driver.
The whole locality of Amanbazar area of Hathazari upazila wore a grim look Saturday when those youths who were full of life just one day ago on their way to Khoiyachora waterfall had returned to be laid to rest forever.
Mirsharai tragedy: Untimely deaths of indomitable youths, their dreams
Hundreds of people crowded Khandakia Chamadia Government Primary School to attend the Namaz-e-Janaza and to bid adieu to the youths of Khandakia village for the last time.
“My son used to say he will take all the responsibilities of the family as he grows up. He was fulfilling our dreams despite all the obstacles but that accident snatched Shajib from us. Now how will we live without you dear!,” cried Shajib’s father, Hamid, a middle aged man who works as a retail shop staff in the village.
Shajib was a meritorious student of Omar Gani MES College’s Math Department but in 2018 his dream to acquire higher education shattered after his father could not admit him to second year due to shortage of money.
Mirsharai tragedy: Untimely deaths of indomitable youths, their dreams
However, Shajib’s indomitable spirit toward education and life made him look forward as he continued to support his family by giving tuition to local students.
As he was valued for his merit and teaching skill Shajib decided to open a coaching center loaning Tk 50, 000 along with two more youths named Wahidul Alam Jishan, 23, and Redwan Chowdhury.
In just two months, they managed to repay Tk 10,000 of the loansas their dream initiative ‘R& J Private Care,” a coaching center at Jugirhat College Road area got good response from SSC and HSC examinees aiming to excel their results.
Two days ago Shajib and the other two teachers planned to take some of their students to see the natural beauty of Khoiyachora waterfall.
On Friday, at 6 am they started for their destination on a rental microbus driven by Golam Mostafa Niru,26, from the Aman Bazar area. After visiting the waterfalls they started their journey back home around 1:30 pm.
Mirsharai tragedy: Untimely deaths of indomitable youths, their dreams
But as they near Bara Takia station’ rail crossing which was unmanned then, Chattogram-bound Mahanagar Provati express from Dhaka ploughed through the microbus, dragging it around a kilometre down the railway track, where the train also stopped.
The accident left 11 of them dead on the spot and injured another six, all who were passengers and driver of the microbus.
The deceased were students of R&J coaching center, Mohammad Hasan,19, Moshab Ahmed, 16, Mostafa Masud Rakib, 19, Iqbal Hossain Maruf,19, Mahin,17, Ayatul Islam,18, Shagor,18, teachers, Shajib, Jishan, and Redwan, and driver Niru.
Just 1 km away from Shajib’s house there is Wahidul Alam’s house where the atmosphere was equally heavy with his dear one’s cry. Wahidul after attaining a degree in Management joined hands with Shajib in opening of that coaching center and was devoted to teach the students with care.
Mirsharai tragedy: Untimely deaths of indomitable youths, their dreams
Meanwhile driver Niru died leaving his seven year old daughter Nowrin Tabassum Ruhi and his wife. Niru used to say he will do everything to provide higher education to his daughter, said his family.
As her mother lamented for his father relentlessly, Ruhi when asked about his father told the UNB reporter,” He is no more, his body is at the police station,” and ran back inside the house.
Source: United News of Bangladesh