A 'mother' for orphans
Usually, being the deputy commissioner of a district, one lives a reserved and routine life.
But for Natore Deputy Commissioner Shaheena Khatun the story is different.
One will surely be surprised, when he/she knows that 84 orphan girls of Dighapatia Balika Shishu Sadan, a non-governmental voluntary organisation, call her 'Amma.' And it's not just a word for them, she really is.
Shaheena also treats all the girls like her own daughters Tahia Anan Dhira and Kashfia Aziz Prachi.
The orphanage home, which is run with the financial assistant of the civil society people and the DC's fund, was established in 1985 and obtained registration under Social Welfare Department in 1995.
Secretary of Dighapatia Balika Shishu Sadan Mostaq Ali Mukul said Shaheena visits the orphan girls, aged between one and 18, every week and inspire them in many ways.
She advises the girls to get educated and not to use abusive language, Mukul said.
“I have seen almost 20 DC's in the last 30 years, but Shaheena Khatun is exceptional,” Administrative Officer Jalal Uddin said, adding that she lives a simple life and does not behave like a bureaucrat.
After joining the district administration in September 2016 DC Shaheena has changed the entire scenario of the orphanage home, including its boundary walls, beds, dining room and training centre.
One of the orphans Rashida Khatun said on the occasion of Pahela Baishakh she gave us same outfits as her two daughters.
Sathi Khatun said 10 fellow girls will appear in next year's SSC examinations.
Abdus Salam, president of Lathi Bashi, an anti-extortion committee in Natore, said, “We feel proud that we have such a woman as our deputy commissioner.”
DC Shaheena said “I always told my two daughters that I have another 85 daughters that include my house help Chadni Khatun as well.”
She said one cannot do a lot in his or her life but she fells good when she gets chance to do something for the orphans.
“Recently one of the girls Surma Khatun got job in family planning department while Rashida Khatun obtained job in police on their own merit, which pleased me a lot,” she said.
She said as it is very difficult to feed 84 children regularly on voluntary basis she is trying to enlist the orphanage home in the government list.
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