Former students with visual impairments of the Syeda Jahanara Haider Hostel for the Blind in Comilla gathered for a day-long reunion on Saturday, reconnecting and celebrating their contributions across various sectors in Bangladesh.
Organized by the hostel’s alumni, the event highlighted the achievements of visually impaired students who, since the hostel’s establishment in 1979 under the Assistantce for Blind Children, have gone on to complete secondary education and build successful careers in both government and private institutions.
Comilla City Corporation Administrator Yusuf Molla Tipu attended the reunion as the chief guest. Addressing the participants, he assured continued support, saying, “If you ever need anything, call me—I will stand by you like a brother.”
He also announced that each current student of the hostel would receive Tk 5,000 from the Comilla City Corporation within the next week.
Special guests included Nurul Islam Patwari, assistant director of the Comilla District Social Services Office; Abul Bashar, principal of Comilla Victoria College; and Advocate Taifur Rahman, general secretary of the Visually Impaired Welfare Council, among others.
The event was chaired by Borhan Uddin Bhuiyan, a former student who now serves as a registration officer at the Lakshmipur District Social Services Office.
Speaking on behalf of the organizers, Abu Nayeem Mamun, a principal officer at Rupali Bank’s Comilla branch and also an alumnus, said, “We have tried our best to organize this event in the most meaningful way possible. I thank everyone who contributed to making it a success.”
He expressed hope that such reunions would be held every two years to strengthen ties among alumni.
Two former students were honored at the event for their outstanding contributions in their respective fields.
The program concluded with a cultural segment.