During the anti-discrimination student movement in Barguna, Mir Rijon Mahmud Niloy and Fauzia Tasnin Anika, both hailing from the same district, crossed paths and began to develop a deep connection. What initially started as mutual respect gradually blossomed into love. On Friday, December 27, the couple celebrated their marriage, marking the culmination of their journey together. Their story began on August 5, during the movement, and just two days later, they confessed their feelings to one another. By August 25, they had shared their relationship with their families, who gave their approval, paving the way for their union.
Niloy, a resident of Amtala Para in Barguna municipality, is the son of the late Mir Moazzem Hossain. He is currently pursuing his BBA at Anwar Khan Modern University. Anika, the daughter of Monowarul Islam Shamim from College Road in Barguna municipality, is in her first year of honors in the Chemistry Department at Government Brojomohun College.
Niloy recalls, “I first met Anika during the movement. Although I had known of her before, we had never spoken. It was during the protests that we started to interact, but it was not romantic at first. On August 5, when we celebrated during the victory rally, I felt a deeper connection with her.” Anika adds, “I got to know Niloy through our discussions about the movement. His bravery and integrity stood out to me. Despite his family’s ties to a now-banned group, Niloy stood against them and supported our cause. His honesty and courage were inspiring. On August 5, during the victory rally, the care and attention he showed me made me realize my own feelings for him. Then, on August 7, Niloy didn’t ask for a romantic relationship; instead, he proposed marriage.”
When Niloy was asked what he admired most about Anika, he said, “Her bravery in leading the anti-discrimination movement left a lasting impression on me. A person who can passionately defend their country and stand firm against the oppressive regime of Hasina is certainly capable of loving someone with that same dedication and sincerity.”
