Biz bodies, entities including MCCI condole Niloufer Manzur's death

Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Dhaka has expressed condolence at the sad demise of the country's renowned educationist, founding principal of Sunbeams School Mrs Niloufer Manzur.

The country's leading trade body said the country has lost not just one of its legendary educationists but a great human being, a dedicated and caring individual who never gave up on another human being.

 “While her legacy will be carried forward by her legion of students whom she taught to serve humanity with equal dedication and humility, her loss will be felt deeply by all whose lives she touched,” according to MCCI condolence message.

She died of novel coronavirus at 00:55 am Tuesday. She was 74. Niloufer left behind her husband, Syed Manzur Elahi, former adviser to the Caretaker Government and Chairman, Apex Footwear Ltd, son Syed Nasim Manzur, daughter Munize Manzur, daughter-in-law Dr Samia Huq, six grandchildren, sister Yasmeen Haque, brother Jamshed Chowdhury and a large host of friends, admirers and students.

She founded Sunbeams School on 15 January 1974. Niloufer Manzur was the daughter of Late Dr Mafiz Ali Chowdhury, MP, a former minister in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s cabinet in 1972.

Business Initiative Leading Development (BUILD) in another statement said the think-tank is deeply saddened at the news of the passing away of Ms. Niloufer Manzur.

"May her educational legacy as the Founder and Principal of Sunbeams School last forever while her soul rests in peace. All of us at BUILD mourn the sad demise of one of Bangladesh`s greatest women and we will be missing her dearly," it said.

Her son Syed Nasim Manzur- a leading businessperson in Bangladesh was the Chairperson of BUILD from 2016-17.

 "We also convey deep sympathy to the bereaved family members".

On ther other hand, Chairman, Board of Directors, Management, Members and all Stakeholders of Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) on Tuesday expressed their profound sorrow at the expiry of Niloufer Manzur.

"She was a nation builder and founder of one of the finest English medium schools "Sunbeams" in January 1974. All of her thousands of students across many age groups spread across the world will feel her passing away deep in their hearts. She taught thousands of her students morality, values and patriotism along with top class education. Her death is an irreparable loss. May her soul rest in eternal peace," Asif Ibrahim, Chairman of CSE said in a message.

Besides, Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bashundhara Group, Bangladesh Economic Association, Mutual Trust Bank Ltd (MTB) and Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur mourned the death of Niloufer Manzur.

-rmc/