Beggar who helped those hit hard by Covid-19 thrilled after getting house from PM

Nazimuddin, a landless beggar from Sherpur who was praised for donating all his savings in April to help those hit hard by Covid-19 and drew the attention of the prime minister, today got a permanent address with a new house and shop.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina provided the support from her personal fund, enabling him to live a decent life.

The government is also giving him the khas land wherein he has been living at Gandhigaon village under Jhenaigati upazila. The land is now being settled permanently against Nazimuddin's name, maintaining the legal procedures.

Deputy Commissioner of Sherpur Anar Koli Mahbub, on behalf of the prime minister, handed over the keys of his new house constructed with the money from her (PM's) personal fund.

There are three rooms in the new house with an attached bathroom and a kitchen. Prime minister herself finalised the design of the house for the elderly poor man.

He also received the keys of a shop at Gandhigaon Bazar so that he can earn a living in a dignified manner, instead of begging.

The octogenarian Sherpur man had saved Tk 10,000 for over two years seeking alms to build a new house in Jhenaigati upazila under Sherpur district, but he opted to donate all his savings to the UNO's relief fund on April 21, aiming to extend his efforts for the people hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Receiving the gifts given on behalf of PM Sheikh Hasina, an excited Nazimuddin and his family members expressed their gratitude to the premier. They also expressed their desire to meet the prime minister and convey their gratitude to her personally.

Despite being a poor man, Nazimuddin's donation for the Covid-19 victims was a unique example of humanitarian attitude towards others, DC Anar Koli Mahbub said.

She said the local upazila chairman also provided an easy-bike to Nazimuddin and hoped that he would be able to lead better life from now on.

Nazimuddin has earned praise for providing his savings to help the Covid-19-hit people in an exemplary and heartening instance that touched the heart of the prime minister and prompted her to direct authorities concerned to build a modern house with her personal fund for the poor man.

His noble instance came to the notice of the prime minister on the very day -- April 21 -- he made the donation. The prime minister instantly decided to give him a house as a gift.

At a function on April 27, Sheikh Hasina said the poor man set a noble example for the whole world as such a humanitarian quality is not often seen even among affluent people.