Beauty to receive ‘Distinguished Teacher’ honour after viral ‘Shraboner Megh’ video

Beauty Rani Pal, headteacher of Pithaitikor Government Primary School in Fenchuganj, Sylhet, who came into the spotlight after posting a video of herself walking and dancing to the song ‘Shraboner Megh’ on social media, has been selected for the district-level ‘Distinguished Teacher’ honour.

Alongside her, six other teachers from Sylhet have also been selected for the honour at the district and divisional levels.

According to sources at the Sylhet district and divisional primary education offices, the selection process at the primary school level has been completed ahead of World Teachers’ Day on October 5.

The other three teachers selected at the district level are Md Jamal Uddin Laskar, headteacher of Jahiria Government Primary School in Sylhet Sadar upazila; Mosammat Nurjahan Begum, headteacher of Adampur Government Primary School in Osmaninagar upazila; and Adori Rani Das, assistant teacher at No. 1 Chowdhury Bazar Government Primary School in Golapganj upazila.

The district primary education office said the teachers were selected at the district level from among those shortlisted from different upazilas. The information of the selected teachers was sent to the divisional office in a memorandum signed by District Primary Education Officer Sakhawat Ershad on September 21.

Meanwhile, three teachers from four districts of Sylhet Division have been selected as ‘Distinguished Teachers’ at the divisional level. They are Latifa Nilufer, headteacher of Giasnagar Government Primary School in Moulvibazar Sadar upazila; Dolly Rani Deb, headteacher of Gajnaiapur Government Primary School in Nabiganj upazila of Habiganj; and Md Nurul Alam, headteacher of Nayaband Government Primary School in Madhyanagar upazila of Sunamganj.

A letter signed by Acting Divisional Deputy Director A.K.M. Saiful Hasan on September 22 said the selection process for distinguished teachers at the primary school level had been completed as part of the observance of World Teachers’ Day.

Beauty Rani Pal was also selected as the best headteacher in Sylhet district this year. The recognition was given after evaluating her contributions to teaching, school management and extracurricular activities as headteacher of Pithaitikor Government Primary School in Fenchuganj upazila.

She is a former student of the Department of English at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology. Her name was also included in the list of teachers shortlisted at the district level for the ‘Distinguished Teacher’ honour in 2023.

In July, a video of Beauty Rani Pal walking and dancing to the song ‘Shraboner Meghgulo’ went viral on social media, sparking discussions and criticism about her. After the video was posted, many people trolled and criticised her on social media. Some even demanded action against her for making the video.

However, colleagues and people from various professions came forward in her support. Teachers from different parts of the country and people from various professions posted their own videos to the same song on social media as a show of solidarity with her. They expressed support for personal freedom and creative expression.

Officials concerned said the selection of distinguished teachers was based not on their popularity or discussion on social media, but on their contributions to education, teaching methods, school management, involvement in extracurricular activities and the relevant selection criteria.