Tragic end to a mother's life: Rajoni dies in Milestone Crash, husband identifies body by saree
She had left home with a mother's simple intention — to bring her daughter safely back from school, but Rajoni Islam (37) never returned.
The deadly aircraft crash into Milestone School and College in Dhaka yesterday (21 July) cut her life tragically short. Her daughter, Zumzum, a Grade 5 student, miraculously survived. Rajoni, however, remained missing until her husband, Zahurul Islam, identified her lifeless body at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH), recognised only by the saree she had worn that morning.
Rajoni's funeral was held today (22 July), with prayers at 9am followed by burial at 10am in the family graveyard at Sadipur village in Daulatpur upazila, Kushtia.
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A resident of Sadipur in Hogolbaria Union, Rajoni leaves behind three children. Her eldest son, SM Rubai, is an HSC candidate this year, while Zumzum and her younger brother, SM Rohan, both attend Milestone School.
Rohan, a Grade 6 student, had stayed home due to illness on the day of the crash.
At the time of the incident, Zahurul Islam, who runs a garment business, was in Chattogram. On hearing of the crash, he rushed back to Dhaka. Although Zumzum was found safe, there was no news of Rajoni until her body was located at CMH.
Speaking to reporters, Zahurul said, "Rajoni appeared to have suffered a head injury, but there were no burn marks. It seems likely that part of the aircraft struck her. This was a sudden, devastating tragedy—impossible to accept, though we must."
Yesterday, after receiving the body, the family began their journey to Kushtia. They paused briefly in Baut village, Gangni upazila, Meherpur—Rajoni's paternal home—before proceeding to Sadipur for the burial.
Mourners from across the village gathered to pay their respects. Many were overwhelmed with grief, while relatives comforted Rajoni's children, who remained silent in shock.
"She had gone to pick up Zumzum, but fate kept them apart," said Ahsanul Islam, Zahurul's elder brother, describing Rajoni's deep commitment to her children's education.
Daulatpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Abdul Hai Siddiqui, who attended the funeral, remarked, "This family has suffered an irreparable loss. A mother can never be replaced. We pray for her soul and remain by the family's side in this time of grief."
