Everyone weeps over Priyo's exam results

On August 5, during a protest in Jessore, Shawant Mehtap Priyo, who tragically perished in the Jaber Hotel tragedy, posthumously passed his HSC exams. A result that should have brought joy to his family has instead been a source of immense grief. On Tuesday, when the HSC results were announced, his family, relatives, and friends were overwhelmed with sorrow.

Shawant Mehtap Priyo had appeared for the 2024 HSC exams from the science at Jessore Government City College, achieving a GPA of 4.10. On Tuesday, Priyo’s family, friends, and relatives all learned of his result. But Priyo himself could not. On the afternoon of August 5, while participating in a victory rally in Jessore, he was burned to death in the Jaber Hotel tragedy. While other students are celebrating their achievements, Priyo now rests in eternal sleep.

Priyo is son of homeopathic doctor Shakil Wahid and homemaker Rehena Parveen, who live in Mujib Sarak area of Jessore. Besides Priyo, the couple has two sons, aged 8 and 10.
Visiting Priyo’s home, a blue-colored four-story rented building on the ground floor, one could feel the air heavy with mourning. When a journalist introduced themselves, Priyo’s mother, Rehena Parveen, began showing Priyo’s belongings one by one, grieving deeply for her lost son.

She was wiping off the books from grades eleven and twelve, neatly arranged beside the table. While handling the awards and crests her son had won in various exams, including SSC and different sports competitions, she recounted the stories of his success.

Rehena Parvin said, "My son was so good. He had nothing in his life besides his parents. His dream was to take care of his two younger brothers and look after his parents. Now, all those dreams are shattered! The news of Priyo’s passing makes me happy, but the joy with which I could have celebrated this isn’t here anymore. The fire has burned down my dreams into nothingness."

In a voice choked with tears, she added, "I have everything, but I don't have Priyo. It feels like he will return to me any moment now and say, ‘Look, Mom, I’ve passed. Your prayers have been answered.’ Everyone is saying he’s done well in his exams, but inside, I’m breaking apart. I can’t bear the thought of being without my precious child. If he were alive, he would have been so happy, and I would have been proud, seeing his joy."

Though Priyo's mother kept breaking down in tears, his father, Shakil Wahid, remained composed. He repeatedly comforted Rehena, saying, “My son used to say, ‘Dad, you’re getting old. You won’t be able to manage things. I’ll take the IELTS test and go abroad. I’ll take care of the family, and I’ll raise my two younger brothers.’”

He added, “My son passed away on the 5th, but when relatives called after hearing the exam results, it felt like my heart was breaking apart. It felt like my son had died a second time. When Priyo got a GPA-5 in the SSC, we celebrated with sweets across the neighborhood. But now, my son is gone... I’m just enduring the pain in my heart every day.”

Priyo’s friends shared that he was brave and selfless. On the afternoon of August 5th, when a fire engulfed the 14-story Jabeer International Hotel near Chitramor in the city, Priyo rushed in to save those trapped inside. He managed to rescue a few but eventually got stuck himself. Our friend and brilliant student perished in the fire during the tragic Jabeer incident. While students across the country are celebrating their exam results, Priyo now rests in eternal sleep.

To note, during the fire at the five-star Jabeer International Hotel in the greater Jessore region, many people were rescued alive. However, 24 people tragically died from severe burns, including a foreign national, and over a hundred were injured.