News Flash
By Rostom Ali Mondal & Manikul Azad
DINAJPUR, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS) - During her childhood in Dinajpur, a wandering dervish (Muslim saint) once encountered child Khaleda Khanam (who later became Khaleda Zia) and foretold her destiny saying that she would become a queen in future.
"Maa (mother), you will be a queen," the dervish told her.
This intriguing prediction was recounted recently by Kamrun Nahar Begum, a childhood playmate of Begum Khaleda Zia, who breathed her last at 6 am today (Tuesday).
Talking to BSS this afternoon, Kamrun Nahar explained their close bondage: "My father, late Jamil Uddin Bari, and Begum Khaleda Zia's father, Iskandhar Majumdar, lived in adjoining houses in the 'Eidga Bosti' area of the city. We grew up together in the same neighborhood."
Kamrun Nahar fondly recalled, "In childhood, my elder sisters and I used to play with Khaleda Zia and attend school together. She became a close friend of my elder sister Mahmuda Begum, and they were classmates at Dinajpur Government Girls' School."
Describing the day of the prophecy, she said: "One day, while we were playing with Begum Khaleda Zia, a dervish approached us. Spotting Begum Khaleda Zia among the children, he called her closer."
Kamrun Nahar vividly remembered the dervish's words: "Maa (mother), you are a lucky girl; one day you will become a queen." With that, the dervish departed.
Kamrun Nahar, now approximately 76 year-old and still residing in Dinajpur, shared these memories. Her account was echoed by Advocate Molla Md Sakhawat Hossain, whose late mother, Shamsunnahar Begum (Kamrun Nahar's elder sister), also passed on the story. Shamsunnahar Begum passed away on September 22, 2022.
Sakhawat noted that his mother often spoke of the dervish's prophecy coming true when Begum Khaleda Zia was first elected Prime Minister in 1991.
Another of Khaleda Zia's school friends, 80-year-old Usharani Shil, daughter of Surendranath Shil from Dinajpur, also shared her recollections. " Khaleda Zia and I studied together at Dinajpur Government Girls' School from childhood. She was a kind-hearted person, always cheerful and smiling, talking to everyone at school."
Usharani added that Begum Khaleda Zia was considered the most beautiful schoolgirl there at the time.
Najma Yasmin, the current headmistress at Dinajpur Government Girls' School, said Khaleda Zia was admitted to class IV in 1954 and matriculated from the school in 1960.
Khaleda Zia's childhood home, Tayeba Villa, was located in the Balubari area of Dinajpur municipality. The building now houses the 'National Diagnostic Centre', but the second-floor rooms where Begum Khaleda Zia and her parents lived are kept locked as reserved.
Karina Bewa, an elderly woman, has long been responsible for maintaining these rooms and looked after Khaleda Zia's parents. She continues to care for the reserved spaces.
Karina Bewa, who never met Begum Khaleda Zia herself but knew her parents, expressed deep sorrow at the news of her passing. "I found her parents. They were very good persons. They loved me very much. I am here till today. Their relatives often come to this house," she said.
Mosta Hasanur, a 78-year-old neighbor, also reminisced about Begum Khaleda Zia's childhood. "Tayeba Villa was named after Khaleda (Putul) Apa's mother," he stated. "Apa was two to three years older than me. I used to visit their house constantly. Her parents loved me a lot, and Putul Apa also showed me great affection. I am saddened to hear that she passed away today," he added.
Khaleda Zia's cousin, Abu Taher Abu, remarked, "I am much younger than her. I did not find her in Dinajpur after my birth. She left here after her marriage with Ziaur Rahman. Her mother is my mother's younger sister. Her parents used to love and care for me very much. We are all saddened to hear the news of your death. We are all praying for her departed soul."
Headmistress Najma Yasmin concluded by expressing the pride felt by the school community: "She was a student of this school, and we are all blessed. Patriotic leader Begum Khaleda Zia is our pride. She is the daughter of our Dinajpur and a student of this school."
