Dhaka, March 5 -- Maherin Chowdhury, the Milestone School and College teacher who sacrificed her life to save 20 students during a plane crash at the campus last year, has been named for the 2026 Independence Award, the nation's highest civilian honour.

The government on Thursday announced the names of 15 distinguished individuals and five organisations in recognition of their glorious and outstanding contributions.

Maherin is being honoured posthumously in the social service and public service category.

On Jul 21, 2025, a training aircraft crashed into a building at Milestone School and College in Uttara during class hours. As the building was engulfed in flames and smoke, Maherin, an English teacher, prioritised the safety of her stu...