Tithi receives scholarship, but a month too late

What she wouldn't give for this around two months ago?

On Thursday, the results for Primary Education Completion Examination were published. Tithi, from Mymensingh's Gouripur  Poura Model Govt  Primary School, got GPA-5 in the exams. On top of that, she received talent pool scholarship for her brilliant efforts.

On any other timeline, her family would be ecstatic. But unfortunately, Tithi died on January 13 in a road accident at Gouripur Madhyabazar area in Mymensingh. She was killed on the spot.

Tithi, a resident of Gouripur municipal area, met her  end on just the second day of the new academic year, on her second day of sixth-grade classes.

"Tithi was the youngest of my two daughters. We had high hopes for her. The accident took away everything," said Rita Rani Pal, Tithi's mother.

Clearly grieving, Rita could barely stop herself. "I remember her touch. I cannot forget her memories, it's as if she's still around us."

The accident occurred as Tithi and her classmate Rupa took the pavement on their way to a coaching class. After they reached Gouripur  Madhyabazar area, a truck lost control and rammed onto them, killing Tithi and seriously injuring Rupa.

Soon after the accident, police arrested driver Humayun and helper Robin. They were sent to jail through a Mymensingh court.

Mazharul Anwar, headmaster of Gouripur Poura Model Govt Primary   School, said, "We've had enough of losing brilliant minds to the road." He demanded that the authorities consider putting a ban on heavy vehicles plying streets around school areas.

Syed Rafiqul Islam, mayor of Gouripur Municipality, said  the plying of heavy vehicles comes as an inevitability of not having a  by-pass road. "We're in talks with police and the local administration  to find a way to minimise the recurrence of such incidents," said the  mayor.

Upazila Education Officer Monika Parvin said for their part, they hosted several discussions, programmes and rallies in participation of professional drivers to raise awareness over issues responsible for causing road accidents.

"We are waiting for  the post mortem report. We will submit the final charge sheet after we get the report," said OC Md  Borhan Uddin Khan of Gouripur Police Station. Tithi's father had lodged a case with the police station. The OC said investigation for it has been completed.

During the investigation, truck driver Humayun was found completely responsible for the accident, the OC said.

However, this correspondent got to learn from Tithi's father Ranjan that Humayun and Robin are now out on bail. This is painful for the aggrieved family.

"We want exemplary punishment for the culprits," Ranjan said.

Locals also alleged that a culture of impunity prevails in the country's transport sector.

Meanwhile, Rita lamented that the truck owner or his staff did  not even visit the family -- as if they knew nothing will happen to them.