She serves people from under bridge
Believe it or not, a local public representative with her family has been living under a bridge on Dhaka-Sylhet highway in Monu Khal area of Aushkandi union in Nabiganj upazila of Habiganj district for the last 12 years.
She is Rahima Begum, 50, member (reserved seat for women) of Aushkandi union parishad (UP) in Nabiganj upazila.
The rains and winter add to her sufferings but the landless woman with her ailing husband Mokaddas Mia and two sons and a daughter have nowhere to go.
Noise is their regular companion as hundreds of vehicles cross the bridge daily.
Despite hardship, Rahima always tried to help people in need. She has worked as a matchmaker for long and it helped her to develop good relation with the local people.
With the determination to work for betterment of people, Rahima contested in the UP elections held on May 28 last year, with three other candidates for the post. People elected her, apparently as reward for her background as a benevolent worker.
"Working for people is my priority. I am a poor landless person. And so, I with my family live under the bridge. I have submitted application to the government for land," Rahima told this correspondent.
Sahidur Rahman, chairman (acting) of Aushkandi UP, said Rahima works for people but hardly makes any efforts to improve her own lot.
Contacted, Nabiganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Tajina Sarwar said, "I was not aware about the matter. I will inquire into it and take steps for rehabilitation of Rahima Begum."
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