Where there’s a will there’s a way

There had been times when relief workers from government or renowned aid organisations failed to reach inhabitants of remote villages in hill district of Khagrachhari after a natural disaster or a humanitarian crisis.

But the villagers in those areas know that Khagrachhari's very own Shapla Devi Tripura will be there for them by any means, as she had been for the past 25 years.

During the months of Covid-19 lockdown last year, when many daily wage earners across the country were rendered jobless, Shapla roamed around all over the district and handed out food relief -- bags containing rice, pulses, onion, salt, potato, soap and some cash -- to over 1,000 families in distress.

While distributing relief materials, she also made the locals aware of health safety measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

A resident of Khagrapur area in Khagrachhari town, Shapla, in her forties, runs a clothing store in the town. Her husband Kallol owns a transport services company and various other businesses in tourism and hospitality industry.

The couple had been making financial contributions for her philanthropic work from their own business earnings before she established a non-profit social charity organisation named Sampari in 2016.

Now people from all walks of life, from home and abroad, also make donations to Sampari for conducting numerous social and charity work. A dedicated team of volunteers take part in the social activities conducted under by Sampari. 

The organisation through its 'Sampari Charity Home fund' has been providing assistance to marginalised population for their children's education, financial and medical support to victims of social injustice and domestic violence, and child birth expenses for helpless mothers.

A good number of students who received assistance from Sampari are now serving the country in different sectors.

In 2018, Department of Women Affairs in Khagrachhari presented 'Joyeeta' award to Shapla for her exemplary contribution in women's empowerment. She received Mother Teresa Memorial Award 2020 for her outstanding role towards upholding women's rights.

"There are many inaccessible areas where relief is not reaching. That's why I am trying to bring in as much relief as possible to those areas. It gives me a sense of satisfaction when I'm able to help them," said Shapla Devi Tripura.

Assuring that she will ensure supply of food relief for the hungry in the remote areas, she also said if the affluent came forward and joined hands to help out the needy in those areas, no soul would go hungry for even one day.