The annual exam results have been published, showing that Ayesha Akhtar, roll number 22, secured second place and was promoted to Class Three. Such success should have brought smiles to teachers, classmates, and family. Instead, there are only tears.
Ayesha is no longer here to see her result. The little girl who would respond “present” during roll call in her new classroom died after being burned in a house fire at night. Her achievement has now become a message of silent grief.
Her father, Belal Hossain, told *Prothom Alo* by phone on Thursday, “My daughter’s result is out. She did very well—she came second. But what is the use of this result now?”
Seven-year-old Ayesha was the youngest of Belal Hossain’s three daughters. The family lives in the Sutaragopta area of Charmansa village under Bhabaniganj Union in Lakshmipur Sadar upazila. Belal Hossain is the organizing secretary of Bhabaniganj Union BNP and runs a fertilizer shop at Sutaragopta Bazar.
