Blind man gets shop after Star's report
On 15 January 2016 The Daily Star published a report entitled “Blind Man Runs Successful Footpath Business,” about Pankaj Kumar Bikram, 44, of Pirojpur's Brammonkathi village, whose determined struggle to live an honest and dignified life since losing his eyesight as a child has never ceased.
Bikram was then selling eggs and sometimes local sweets each day beside the Damodar Bridge in Pirojpur town, in order to support his five-member family. With one child already in school and another due to start in the next few years, Bikram was worried about how to cover education expenses in future. He dreamed of having his own small shop as a means to improve the family income.
After publishing the story, the Bangladesh government has taken the generous initiative of assisting Bikram to realise his dream.
Impressed with Bikram's determination to choose business over begging, a deputy secretary of the cabinet requested Pirojpur's deputy commissioner A.K.M. Shamimul Haque Siddique to see what could be done to help Bikram.
The district administration, with assistance from Pirojpur's mayor Habibur Rahman Malek and business leader Ataur Rahman Sheikh Alam, has responded superbly, providing Bikram with his shop, which has been constructed on 54 square feet of government land in the heart of Pirojpur town, not far from Damodar Bridge where Bikram usually sold his eggs.
The recent handover ceremony for the shop was attended by several senior local administration and government officials as well as many of Pirojpur's journalists. In the presence of his mother, wife, two children and father-in-law, Bikram sincerely thanked the government for their assistance. As the shop was handed over, overwhelmed with joy, Bikram cried.
“We are really proud to help Pankaj Kumar Bikram,” said Deputy Commissioner Siddique, “It has become possible due to The Daily Star's report.”
The Daily Star is likewise grateful and inspired by the prompt government response and noble initiative they have taken.
As for the future, responsibility for the success of Bikram's shop now lies right where Bikram and his family would wish it: in Bikram's own, determined and experienced hands. We wish him and his family well.
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