Abu Dhabi mourns Bangladeshi mother and teenage son killed in car crash

Details of the Crash

The embassy identified the victims as Ashima Chowdhury, aged 48, and her son Aritra Biswas, aged 15. Her husband, Sree Swarup Kanti Biswas, aged 59, who was driving the vehicle, survived with injuries. The accident occurred around 9 pm near Al Wathba Bridge on Al Ain Road when a speeding car reportedly struck their vehicle from behind. Police are investigating the incident.

Funeral Arrangements and Community Support

The family has decided to hold the last rites at a crematorium in Al Ain. Family friend and journalist Sanjit Kumar Shil is helping Sree Swarup with the funeral arrangements, alongside other community members who are assisting the grieving father and the couple’s daughter, Anushua Biswas, with paperwork. Sanjit has known the family since they arrived in the UAE; he has lived in the country since 2001, while Sree Swarup, an engineer whom friends call Sourav Da, came in 2003 and Ashima, who worked with a travel agency, joined him in 2007. He said, “Ashima was like a sister to me, and Aritra was like my son.” He added that his wife is also a friend of the family and that seeing the sorrow of Sree Swarup and Anushua makes the pain harder to bear.

Tributes from School and Friends

Aritra’s school, Future Leaders International Private School Branch 2 in Abu Dhabi, paid tribute to him and his mother on social media, saying the school community mourns the loss of “our beloved student” and his mother and extends its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones. The school added, “May they find strength, comfort and peace in the support of those around them,” and noted that Aritra and his mother “will always be remembered and forever held in our hearts.” Anushua Biswas, the couple’s daughter, is a fourth‑year psychology student at a university in Dubai and was at home when the tragedy struck her family. Family friend Prasanto Kumar Das said, “It’s impossible to accept that a happy family will be turned upside down in a moment like this.” He remembered Ashima as a lively presence at gatherings who enthralled everyone with her songs, particularly her bhajans, and recalled calling her didi (elder sister). He noted that Ashima appreciated the way he recited songs and fondly remembered discussing cricket with Aritra, adding, “There are many photos of us together at our gatherings and there are even more memories in my heart,” in his tribute. Ashima also leaves behind friends from her school days; Tarun Chowdhury, who studied with her, said she was a beloved member of their SSC‑’93 batch and always kept their “Sakul 93” WhatsApp group lively.

Impact on Durga Puja Preparations

The deaths come just as Bangladeshi Hindus in the UAE were preparing for Durga Puja, the largest and most significant religious and cultural festival for the community. Those close to the family have now called off big celebrations. Sanjit said, “We are not in a situation to celebrate anything now. We will only be praying at homes. There won’t be big gatherings or celebrations.”