Dhaka, March 26 -- Before the tribute ceremony for Sanjida Khatun at the Central Shaheed Minar came to an end, Laisa Ahmed Lisa, general secretary of Chhayanaut, was called upon to deliver a speech.

She stepped forward and began to sing the words of Rabindranath Tagore's "Aachhe dukkho, aachhe mrityu, birahodahono laage. Tobuo shaanti, Tobuo aananda, tobuo ananto jaage" (There is sorrow, there is death, separation brings pain. Yet, there is peace, there is joy, and eternity awakens).

The crowd, deeply moved, joined her in song.

The entire Shaheed Minar courtyard was filled with sorrow, as some tried to hide their tears in the intense heat of Chaitra, while others openly wept.

Laisa, in her farewell to everyone's beloved "Minu Apa", de...