'She was like a sister'

At 12:50pm today. A white ambulance entered the central field of Jahangirnagar University. Teachers, students, and staff rushed forward, gathering around the vehicle.

Inside lay the body of Jannatul Ferdous Moumita, an assistant professor in the Fine Arts department, who was performing duties during the Jucsu polls just hours earlier.

On the campus where she once studied and later developed her academic career, her life came to an abrupt end.

Photo: Palash Khan

Moumita, the department's first graduate to return as a teacher, had joined as a lecturer in December 2021.

She fell sick in the morning while working as a polling officer in the Jucsu polls. Doctors at Enam Medical College Hospital later declared her dead.

Photo: Palash Khan

Just yesterday, she was working at Pritilata Hall as a polling officer.

At 2:00pm today, her janaza was held at the central field, attended by hundreds.

As her body was brought to the central field, some stood quietly, eyes brimming with tears, while others cried loudly. Friends consoled one another.

Her students remembered seeing her healthy and full of energy. Jannatul Ferdous, a student, said, "She was not just a teacher to us; she was like our elder sister. The place she held in our hearts, the way she taught us... this is an irreparable loss."

Photo: Palash Khan

Struggling to speak, she added, "On Sunday, she was supposed to come and teach us landscape drawing."

"This morning's news was unbelievable. She was not unwell. She was fit. She had even given us the schedule of our next class and topics to be taught, despite being busy with election work," said Jannatul,a student of the 49th batch.

Oishi Sarker, another student, said, "We started our first lessons with her. Whenever we went to her for personal or academic reasons, she never turned us away. She treated us like younger sisters, even counselling us when we were stressed. Accepting that she is gone is impossible."

Another student said, "In our Messenger group, her message is still there, telling us that a new landscape class would start. She even reminded those who had missed the previous course to come to her."

Faculty members, too, were shaken. Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Prof Sohel Ahmed said, "Moumita was like my daughter. She would talk to me about many things."

Vice-Chancellor Prof Kamrul Ahsan, speaking after the janaza, said, "She was a young colleague who worked with great dedication. Her sudden departure is a reminder that no matter what we do, we all have to go."

Before the janaza, her body was placed in front of the old arts building, where colleagues and friends gathered for a final farewell.

Assistant Professor Asim Chandra Roy, a colleague in the Fine Arts department, said, "She was calm, humble, and gentle. I simply cannot come to terms with her sudden death. Not everyone has the same capacity to handle stress, and perhaps she could not bear the pressure."

Mohammad Shamim Reza, chair of the department, said, "She was my direct student -- always responsible and dedicated until the very end. Moumita wanted to take a day's rest, but this sudden decision was imposed on her. It created mental pressure. Not everyone has the same level of endurance."