Ex Notre Dame College principal Fr Benjamin dies

Former principal of Notre Dame College Father Benjamin Costa CSC has died. He was 75. Father Benjamin passed away at City Hospital in Dhaka at 5:45pm yesterday, Father Adam Pereira, registrar of Notre Dame University, told the Dhaka Tribune. The educationist had been suffering from lung complications for some time. He had been admitted to Square Hospital in Dhaka in early September, Adam Pereira said. Later on September 28, Father Benjamin was rushed to Mount Elizabeth Hospital as his condition deteriorated. He was 76. The revered educationist served as the principal of Notre Dame College from 1998 to 2012. He had also served as the acting vice chancellor of Notre Dame University since its inception until being affected by chikungunya virus in mid-August this year. In a condolence message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed deep shock at the death of Father Benjamin, reports BSS. The prime minister recalled with profound respect the contribution of Father Benjamin Costa to the field of education in the country. "The country has lost a noted academic in his death," she said. Sheikh Hasina prayed for the salvation of the departed soul and conveyed profound sympathy to the bereaved family. Father Benjamin was a member of the Congregation of Holy Cross (CSC), an institution of Catholic priests and devouts dedicated, which has been operating in Bangladesh since 1853, providing education and social services. Besides Notre Dame College, the CSC runs 16 schools, colleges and universities in the country, including the St Joseph's School and Holy Cross School in Dhaka.