UNO at 17!
From the tender age of 11, Tahrima Akter Jimi, a farmer's daughter and resident of Khansama upazila in Dinajpur, took part in numerous youth organisations dealing with sanitation and child marriage issues.
In a part of a country where child marriages have become all too frequent, Tahrima always placed herself at the forefront of preventing it.
Six years later, the now-HSC 1st year student was rewarded for her work by being made the upazila nirbahi officer for a day.
Daughter of Joynal Abedin, hailing from the Goaldihi (Telipara) village of Dinajpur, her achievement has become a great source of pride for both her family and her community.
A student of Ranirbandar Ichhamati Degree College, Jimi was handpicked for the position through an initiative of Plan International Bangladesh under their “Girls Takeover” programme.
“It is memorable day in my life”, Jimi said, on Wednesday, as she went about her duties.
For her, the exciting day began at the UNO office in Khansama upazila right before 9:00 am on Wednesday morning. She was handed the position from Sajebur Rahman, the existing UNO of the biggest upazila in Dinajpur. After that, she held a meeting with her officials and staff at the conference room, discussing and deliberating on a variety of issues.
Later on, she visited a local school, meeting the students there and exchanging views. She also conducted a Bangla class for the students.
She also took part in a public hearing at the UNO office complex. But it was what happened next that excited her the most.
Taking part in anti-adulteration drives in the upazila, Tahrima termed the moment exhilarating. “It was quite exciting to be part of this drive which helped put an immediate stop to such harmful activities,” she said.
Talking to The Daily Star, Tahrima Akter Jimi said the UNO post was the highest post in any upazila in the country and she was proud to have served in it for the day. “I am really fortunate. After this, now, I want to be a real UNO”, the 17-year old said, adding that it takes a lot of courage to hold this position.
“I will now concentrate even more on my studies so one day I can permanently get this post and help by being part of the government,” she said.
Officials of Plan International Bangladesh said that they started the Girls Takeover programme in 2016 to encourage girls to strive for important leadership positions in the country and serve the nation more effectively. “Such initiatives strengthen your confidence and encourage you to concentrate more on your studies, while helping to turn your dreams into reality”, said Jimi.
Sajebur Rahman UNO of Khansama congratulated Jimi and said she had done the job very well.
This was the first time such an initiative was taken in the upazila, said Aminul Islam, a local journalist.