Dr. Zubaida Rahman, Vice-President of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation and wife of the Prime Minister, said on Tuesday that the bravery, resilience, and compassion shown by educators, pupils, and parents in the wake of the devastating disaster at the capital's Milestone School and College will stand as an enduring inspiration for the entire country.
"The example of courage, compassion, and sacrifice that the country and the world have witnessed during this difficult time is rare in history...People for the people, the true beauty of humanity lies in coming forward with this spirit," she remarked while addressing a memorial discussion as the chief guest at the auditorium of the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery this afternoon.
The memorial service was convened to honor the victims of the tragic aviation disaster at Milestone School and College.
On this date in 2025, a Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft plunged into the Uttara campus, claiming 36 lives, including 28 young students.
Opening her address, Dr. Zubaida paid profound tribute to all the students, faculty members, institutional staff, and others who perished in the catastrophe.
She offered prayers for the eternal peace of the departed souls while conveying her heartfelt condolences to the grieving families.
Remembering the young pupils, educators, the flight lieutenant, the coordinator, and support personnel who lost their lives, she expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy.
"The sudden and horrific accident has left the entire country and nation in mourning and shock. The whole nation shares the grief of those who lost their loved ones," she said.
She offered prayers for the swift healing of those recovering from injuries, urging everyone to convert their profound sorrow into collective strength.
Dr. Zubaida noted that the fortitude shown by the surviving teachers and students remains a beacon of hope for all.
"The nation will never forget how they have moved forward with courage and determination despite their horrific experiences. The fortitude gained through this difficult time will provide courage in any life crisis and inspire one to stand by others in their suffering," she stressed.
Dr. Zubaida expressed her sincere gratitude to the emergency responders and support organizations—including the Fire Service, Doctors Association of Bangladesh, Ziaur Rahman Foundation, and the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery—for their immediate assistance during the tragedy.
She also gratefully acknowledged the international aid and solidarity provided by partner nations, including the United Kingdom, China, India, and Singapore, in the aftermath of the disaster.
