A bizarre and chilling chain of events unfolded at Saghata Police Station in Gaibandha, leaving a community in shock and a mystery in its wake. A young man who had barged into the station, attempted to snatch a rifle, and stabbed an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), was found dead in a nearby pond early Friday morning.

The drama began around 10:00 PM on Thursday, when the unidentified youth, believed to be in his late twenties, entered the police station claiming he wanted to file a complaint. Things quickly escalated. According to police and eyewitnesses, an argument broke out when the computer operator asked the youth to write down the complaint himself and bring it in.

Suddenly, the youth lunged at a constable, trying to grab his rifle. In the chaos that followed, ASI Mohsin Mia and others rushed in to stop him. A scuffle broke out, and the youth managed to stab ASI Mohsin before fleeing into the night.

As it happened, a local arbitration meeting was being held right outside the station. Locals and police joined forces in hot pursuit. Moments later, the youth was seen diving into the pond beside Saghata Pilot High School, trying to hide under thick water hyacinths.

The area was cordoned off, and police kept vigil overnight. Locals eventually went home. But when dawn broke, the Fire Service recovered the youth’s lifeless body from the pond. Whether he drowned or succumbed to other causes is still unknown. His body was taken to the station and later sent to Gaibandha General Hospital for an autopsy.

Speaking to Prothom Alo, Officer-in-Charge Badsha Alam confirmed the incident, saying:

“We cannot confirm the cause of death until we receive the post-mortem report. A legal investigation is underway, and we are working to identify the individual.”

He added that ASI Mohsin suffered injuries to his hand and forehead and was treated at Saghata Upazila Health Complex. A formal briefing on the incident is expected soon.

One eyewitness, Abdullah Mondal, recounted the surreal scene:

“There was a loud commotion, and then I saw this unknown young man running like his life depended on it, with cops and locals behind him. Then—splash—he dove into the pond. But after that… nothing.”

As authorities dig into the circumstances surrounding this strange encounter, one question lingers in the air: Who was he, and what drove him to charge into a police station with chaos in his eyes and a knife in his hand?

The air at North South University buzzed with brains and big dreams as the national finale of Global Spell Bee 2025 reached its crescendo. Students from across the country battled it out with syllables and synonyms, showing off not just stellar spelling skills but razor-sharp thinking and academic brilliance.

Organised by EduPro Concepts BD Ltd. in collaboration with GateKeepr and Help the Future, and proudly hosted by the North South University Debate Club, this event wasn’t just a spelling showdown—it was a stage where young minds from grades 4 to 12 danced with words, discovered their potential, and learned to roar (politely, of course) in perfect English.

The event is a part of the internationally recognized Global Spell Bee, and the stakes were sky-high. Winners from this round will pack their dictionaries and dreams for Dubai this October, where they’ll go head-to-head with contestants from nearly 50 countries for a shot at global recognition—and one life-changing educational journey.

The grand finale drew in an impressive crowd of guests and dignitaries. Chief Guest Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, Vice-Chancellor of NSU and Chairman of Grameen Bank, lit up the stage with encouragement:

“Competitions like the Global Spell Bee help students become smarter, more confident, and better at expressing their thoughts. The moment you stepped in and competed, you already won.”

Stephen Forbes, Country Director of the British Council Bangladesh, chimed in with wise words wrapped in inspiration:

“Education gives you choices. The more you learn, the more life brings you options.”

Also present was Mohammad Inzamul Haque, Assistant Personal Secretary to the Education Adviser at the Ministry of Education, who praised the competition for going beyond grades and grammar:

“It builds confidence, discipline, and communication—skills that are essential for the world these students are stepping into.”

The competition itself? Oh, it was fierce. It had everything—from intense written and oral rounds to workshops, mentorship marathons, and plenty of “spell-offs.” Contestants had access to premium vocabulary resources and coaching that leveled up their comprehension and communication game.

In the senior category, the finale was so tight, it needed a tiebreaker—because apparently, excellence decided to show up twice. Eventually, Nabiha Tahseen Nubah from Sunnydale School claimed the crown. Over in the junior category, Ibnat Namira Ahmed from Summerfield International School stole the spotlight.

Every participant walked away with medals and certificates, but more than that—they carried home confidence, connections, and a renewed love for learning.

When I clicked “status update” on my Harvard application portal, my screen burst into a shower of digital confetti. For a second, I thought it was a glitch—or maybe my laptop was just being dramatic. But then came the real moment: a delivery man handed me a crimson package stamped with “Veritas.” That’s when it hit me. I had made it—I got into Harvard.

And I wasn’t alone. This year, several Bangladeshi students earned confetti-worthy acceptances into the world’s most elite institutions—Harvard, MIT, Columbia—schools where even perfect grades aren’t a golden ticket. So, what’s the secret sauce? We sat down with a few of these dream-chasers to unpack the blueprint behind their success.

First things first: your grades matter—like, a lot. Not just in board exams, but from as early as class nine. Add in a stellar SAT score (aim for 1500+), and you’ve cleared the academic threshold. But beyond that, it’s your story, your spark, and your soul that make the real difference.

Take Olympiads, for instance. They’re like the Olympics for your brain—and elite colleges love them. Debojoti Das Soumya of Jalalabad Cantonment Public School and College credits his MIT admission to his gold-winning performance at the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI)—a first for Bangladesh.

Then there’s S M A Nahian of Dhaka College, who snagged two bronzes at the International Math Olympiad (IMO) and also found his way into MIT. Meanwhile, Adnan Bin Alamgir from Dhaka Residential Model College represented Bangladesh at the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA), taking home silver and bronze.

Even national-level achievements help. I ranked third nationally at the Biology Olympiad and made the national debate team—just in time for my apps.

Top schools are looking for more than report cards—they want impact. Think passion projects, social initiatives, or original research.

Ryem Nabi Anwar, headed to Columbia University, rolled out a full trilogy of achievements: volunteering at the Hope Field Hospital for Rohingya women, founding a nonprofit that helped over 300 families, and writing a research paper on dengue vaccines.

“Activities were the heart of my application,” he says. “I made sure everything reflected my commitment to healthcare.”

Nahian even did research in Graph Theory under a UC Irvine professor. You don’t need a lab coat to dive into academic research—review papers, essays, and independent studies can all add depth to your story.

American universities love diversity—real, lived, heartfelt diversity. Referencing Bangladeshi traditions, food, or arts can make your application sparkle.

In my case, 11 years of classical music training and four years of Bharatnatyam and Manipuri dance came alive in my art portfolio. So much so that my Harvard admissions officer wrote to me post-decision to say how much she loved my performances.

Ryem, too, wove music into his story. “Alongside my achievements in Biology, I showcased my passion for Rabindra Sangeet and Indian classical music,” he says. “It even led me to perform on national TV.”

“Do what you love,” Nahian advises. “Because faking it? Admissions officers can spot that from a mile away.”

Elite schools don’t want a jack-of-all-trades. They’re searching for spikes—areas of deep, undeniable excellence. A few focused activities that form a consistent narrative? That’s gold.

Quantify your impact. Use stats, rankings, or numbers to tell your story. Keep it short, sharp, and strategic. The Common App gives you limited characters—every word has to pull its weight.

And if you’ve done something after submitting your app? Update the schools through their portals. They appreciate the hustle.

Yield matters—a lot. Colleges want to admit students who are likely to say yes. So, show your love. Mention specific professors, clubs, traditions, or research that align with your goals.

Adnan, for example, referenced university traditions in his essays. I, personally, fangirled hard over Harvard’s Ghungroo performance festival—and I let them know.

The One Thing We All Regret? Not Starting Sooner.
If there’s one lesson we all wish we had learned earlier, it’s to start the journey way before the deadlines loom.

“Procrastination nearly derailed my Harvard dream,” Adnan confesses. “You need time to think, reflect, and write with clarity. That space is essential.”

Begin early. Plan your essays. Prepare for the SAT multiple times. Give yourself grace and time—and maybe even a little confetti when you hit ‘submit.’

Because if our stories prove anything, it’s this: the dream is big, but it’s possible. And when it comes true, it’s every bit as magical as it sounds.