Thank you Mrs Manzur, we will do our best to make you proud

To many she was their teacher Mrs Manzur, to many she was their beloved Miss, and to many she was synonymous to Sunbeams school. With the news of her demise, tributes have been flooding social media as founder and principle of Sunbeams school, Mrs Niloufer Manzur, is being warmly remembered. 

Shameran Abed, head of Microfinance operations, Brac

So many memories of Mrs Manzur have come flooding back this morning since waking up to the devastating news of her passing. One of the enduring memories of my childhood is of seeing her literally towering figure walk through the tiny gate at Sunbeams (road 27), with darwan (Nurul Islam) bhai doing his best imitation of standing at attention. 

She taught us dignity and grace just by the way she carried herself, and kindness and compassion through the many simple and subtle ways in which she made each one of us feel cared for, special. 

She gave me a pair of S shaped cufflinks for my wedding; I later joked with friends that I did not know whether the S was supposed to be for Shameran, or to remind me that I would forever be a product of Sunbeams. 

Rest in peace Miss. We are so fortunate to have grown up in your shade. Generations of Beamers and their families remain eternally in your debt!

Dr Naveed Ahmed, former student 

Today I am heartbroken. It feels like the death of a family member, and more.

The legendary and iconic educationist of the nation and my first teacher and Principal, Mrs Niloufer Manzur, founder of Sunbeams School is no more.

She nurtured me from the time I was four years old, and instilled in me the foundations on which I am based today. She was my wife Shareen Khan's Principal, as well as to my daughter Zaria and my sister Zareen Ahmed. How incredibly lucky we were to be her students, as were thousands more.

She always took me in her arms when we met, always calling me by my middle name "Asif". The last time she took me in her arms was on the Ekushey book fair in Sunbeams and said, "Doctor, I am so proud of you."

I will miss you my dear Miss. May Allah grant you Jannah, till we meet again.

Mahah Mirza, former student

Absolutely gutted to hear about Mrs Manzur's passing. I could only speak from experience about the love and compassion that she showered over me and my family. But after reading fellow Beamer's posts today I realise she was equally compassionate towards all her students. 

To her we were all her children. She nudged and prodded us to be the best version of ourselves. Under different circumstances on a day like today Beamers who have in some way or shape or form been touched by her would be flooding to be by her family's side, united in our sense of unimaginable loss. 

For now we can only pray from our homes to Allah that she is granted Jannatul Ferdous. 

Thank you Mrs Manzur. We will do our best to make you proud.

Farasha Khan, former student and current nursery teacher at Sunbeams 

I remember how Mrs Manzur would deliver her speech at the school assembly every Sunday. School was synonymous to Mrs Manzur, she was personally attached to every student and each of their performances profoundly mattered to her.

She was so devoted to her students, she would remember all of their names.

When she would see us, she would hug us, or hold our hands and make us feel utterly special. Mrs Manzur was so positive and personally motivated, she would make us feel so good about ourselves.  

When I joined Sunbeams as a teacher, every time she would come to the Dhanmondi section, she would hold my hand and say that she was so happy to see me there, made me feel like my contribution was the best.

Mrs Manzur had that ability to make you feel special and to her, every one of her student was special. We spoke months ago over a video call, she seemed so relaxed then.  

Ghalib Mohammad Karim, former student

One time we were doing poorly in mathematics and she had personally asked all of us why we were not performing well. As a teacher and head of the school, she was strict, yet so understanding and compassionate. She would speak at the assembly and address all of us, like each of us mattered to her a lot. 

I remember how good a relationship she also had with each support staff. It still surprises me how she remembered each student by their names, even the ones who had graduated years and years ago. All of her students were loyal to her, and she in turn loved and respected them.