'He was our hope': Family devastated after DU student dies of Covid-19 in Jhenaidah

Sumon Hossen, a student of Dhaka University, died of Covid-19 in his village home in Jhenaidah yesterday. He was a student of the Anthropology Department of Dhaka University.

He was at home with his parents as the university was closed due to the pandemic.

"I have nothing left. We made arrangements for his studies with a lot of effort. He was our hope," Sumon's father Amir Hossain told The Daily Star, adding, "I had a bigha of land. I sold some of it and took a mortgage out to admit my son to the university. I thought if the boy gets a job, he can help out the family. But coronavirus took away everything!"

Sujan Hossen, an SSC examinee and younger brother of Sumon, said, "My brother's dream was to finish his studies and become a magistrate. He always advised me to study well."

Talking to The Daily Star, Dr Farhana Begum, chairperson of the Department of Anthropology, said, "We were not aware of Sumon's illness at first. We were informed two days before he died. In a short time, we have collected a small amount of money through the initiative of the department.

Responding to a question, she said, "We will again discuss with the department and the hall authorities regarding financial assistance to Sumon's family."

Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Md. Akhtaruzzaman told The Daily Star that he was the first DU student who died of Covid-19. "It's very painful for us."

Sumon was buried at his village home in Jhenaidah at 11 am today.