A headteacher in Hajiganj, Chandpur, died on the day of his retirement farewell ceremony, hours before colleagues and students were scheduled to bid him farewell.

Tapan Kumar Saha, 59, headteacher of Radhasar Government Primary School, died at his residence in Chandpur city early Monday after falling ill.

Monday was the final working day of his career. Teachers and students had arranged a farewell ceremony to honour him, and preparations were underway. However, his body arrived at the school premises instead, according to a local media report.

The unexpected death cast a pall of grief over the school’s teachers and students.

Lima Akter, one of his colleagues, said, “Preparations had been made to hold a farewell reception for Sir at the school on Monday afternoon and present him with a memento. But early in the morning, we learned that he had suffered a heart attack at his residence. He died before he could be taken to hospital.”

He is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.

Rabiul Alam, a member of Bakila Union Parishad, said Tapan Kumar Saha was scheduled to be given a farewell reception at the school on Monday. He was also invited as a guest at the programme.

“But no one could have imagined that on such a day, Tapan sir would bid farewell to everyone in this way,” he said.