A father’s fight against noise pollution
Since last July, entrepreneur Sujan Barua, a father of two, has been campaigning against noise pollution in different areas of Chattogram.
He has arranged as many as 23 programmes during this time, which include awareness campaigns, sit-in protests and hunger strikes.
His two children -- SSC candidate Abhishek Barua and seventh grader daughter Chandrima Barua -- have occasionally accompanied him during these times.
On August 17, Sujan tried to attract the attention of drivers by walking 10 kilometers with his son from the Chandgaon residential area to Agrabad.
Besides, various programmes have been conducted to make drivers aware in New Market, GEC, Muradpur, Bahaddarhat, Dewanhat, Chowkbazar, Gate No-2, Tigerpass and other important areas of the port city.
Recently, he staged a hunger strike for 21 hours at a stretch, from October 4 to October 6.
But a lone protestor can only carry on for so long. Sujan has been suffering from different diseases, including a severe cold since breaking the hunger strike.
"I have become severely ill since the hunger strike. If the relevant authorities don't show any goodwill on tackling noise pollution, I'll go on hunger strike till death in the future," he told this correspondent.
He said he is trying to make drivers aware about the negative impacts of noise pollution on the future generation.
Sujan lamented that no one cared about his demands initially, but slowly some are relating to his cause and expressing their support.
But the government departments concerned who are supposed to keep noise pollution under control are still indifferent towards his demands, he continued.
Sujan believes the strict implementations of the existing laws can prevent noise pollution in the country.
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