Shobuja Khala Ran Into Fire for the Children — Now She Lies in ICU as a Nation Watches

Ahsanul Arefin :
Shabuja Begum who was working In Milestone College for the last 16 years.
Shubojja Begum, a long-time cleaning staff member at Milestone College, is now fighting for her life in the ICU of Dhaka Medical College after committing an act of quiet heroism. During the recent tragic fire, she had safely escaped—but turned back when she heard the cries of trapped children. She rescued one after another until she herself collapsed, burned and was unconscious.
Her story remained unknown—until Sajidan Rafsan, Executive Director of the Shirin Sajmila International Foundation (SSIF), shared it in a Facebook post that captured the nation’s heart. Shared nearly 20,000 times by different accounts, it was covered by major news outlets and transformed her into the face of silent sacrifice in the Milestone crash.
From the moment she was admitted to ICU-5, Ahsanul Arefin and the SSIF team have been by her side—offering financial, medical, and emotional support to the family.

Shirin Sajmila Foundation with Shubojja Khala and her daughter at Dhaka Medical College Burn Unit, where she is currently receiving treatment following the Milestone incident.
“Her husband passed away just 43 days ago after battling chronic kidney disease,” said Arefin.
“For 16 years, she worked at Milestone to support her family—an ill husband and a widowed daughter, Rumana. She was their only lifeline.”
Rumana, filled with emotion, said:
“Because of Sajidan bhai and the foundation, my mother’s bravery is finally known. I ask the nation to pray for her—and I hope the government recognizes her sacrifice. I also hope the foundation helps other aya workers and low-income victims who are often forgotten.”
The Shirin Sajmila Foundation is actively visiting hospitals across Dhaka to identify other victims from the Milestone tragedy who may not appear on official lists—ensuring no one is left behind.
Over the past decade, the Foundation has championed the needs of marginalized groups—offering disability care, rehabilitation for farmers, digital maternal health for underserved women, and cultural preservation for tribal artisans. In 2024 alone, it assisted hundreds of July Movement martyrs and injured students, and led emergency relief for over 10,000 flood victims in Feni, Cumilla, and Noakhali. Behind this sustained effort is Ahmed Sajidan Jarjis Rafsan, whose leadership has helped deliver 3,400+ prosthetics and build one of South Asia’s first integrated mobility and maternal health platforms.