MCCI pays tribute to late Sunbeams principal Niloufer Manzur

The Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Dhaka, on Friday organised a remembrance and doa mahfil to pay tribute to late renowned educationist and founding principal of Sunbeams School Niloufer Manzur.

Showing respect to the guidelines on social distancing, the event was arranged over virtual means using Zoom at 4pm, a press release issued by the trade body on Saturday said. 

Niloufer was the wife of MCCI former president Syed Manzur Elahi and mother of MCCI former president and present member of the committee Syed Nasim Manzur. 

A large number of MCCI members, former presidents, business leaders, friends, colleagues, admirers, well-wishers, and family members joined the doa mahfil. 

Niloufer breathed her last on May 26 at the Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka. 

At the outset, MCCI President Nihad Kabir in her reminiscence paid heartfelt tribute to Niloufer, saying she was a great nation-builder whose legacy would be carried forth by her innumerable students imbued with her teachings of humility and dedication to service to build a better and brighter future for the country.

The event was addressed by Tofail Ahmed, former minister of commerce, Salman F Rahman, adviser to the prime minister on private industry and investment and former MCCI president, Mahbubur Rahman, president of the International Chamber of Commerce, Bangladesh, Tapan Chowdhury, managing director of Square Pharmaceutical Limited and former president of MCCI, and Anis A Khan, vice-president of MCCI. 

All the distinguished speakers who were close to Niloufer and her family solemnly remembered her outstanding and exemplary contributions in nation building accomplishments by providing education to the young leaders of the future throughout her life as well as for her kindness and compassion. She was an icon of humility and amiable conduct with all around her irrespective. She was a true human being and a legend in her lifetime.

Her son Syed Nasim Manzur recalled his mother's devotion to family, education,

patriotism and sense of responsibility. He thanked all for their gracious participation and requested for prayers for the salvation of the departed soul.

Doa was led by Hafez Mohammad Hafizur Rahman, khatib of Gulshan Jame Masjid. All participants prayed for Niloufer as well as for the country including all who had passed away during this period. 

The prayer also beseeched the Almighty for bestowing safety and security to all citizens of the country during this pandemic and wished for an early recovery from this difficult time. 

The event ended at 5:10pm with a note of thanks from the MCCI president to all.