District admin takes Khuki’s responsibility on PM’s behalf
![](https://tds-images.thedailystar.net/sites/default/files/styles/big_202/public/feature/images/khuki_0.jpg)
On behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Rajshahi district administration today began looking after Dil Afroze Khuki.
Giving away her hard-earned income to the destitute, Khuki chose a life of constant battles. In her 60s now, she has been a newspaper hawker in the northern city for 30 years.
The administration took her responsibilities on behalf of the Prime Minister, Rajshahi Deputy Commissioner Abdul Jalil said.
"I visited her and directed concerned officials for necessary action," he said, adding, "She doesn't require money, what she needs is care, love of family members and respect."
He said the administration has employed workers who would clean her house and paint it.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam also sent gift items for her, including new clothes.
Visiting her today, this correspondent saw workers cleaning the house and setting up a water connection.
People and organisations visited her with gifts as well.
Khuki's neighbour has also decided to stand by her.
Nahid Akter Tania and her son live in a rented house next to Khuki's, since her husband left her. She has been looking after Khuki for several years. An art teacher, Tania has to struggle to make ends meet.
"Primarily, we think she (Tania) is the right person to look after Khuki as the elderly woman's own relatives are not helpful," the Rajshahi DC said.
While talking to this correspondent, Tania said she has no parents and she treats Khuki as family.
Tania mentioned of intimidation by Khuki's family members.
She said, one of Khuki's sisters asked her landlord to drive her out for speaking about Khuki's woes to media.
A local goon has apparently threatened Khuki yesterday morning for "talking against her family members," she said.
The DC said, they asked neighbours to report any kind of threat made to Khuki.
About people thronging at her house with gifts, Khuki said that it feels great seeing people coming to meet her with gifts and cleaning her house, but she added that she doesn't need all these.
Some organisations offered her assistance and asked her to promise them that she would not work as a hawker any more.
"Why? Is there anything wrong with being a hawker? Why do they hate this work?" Khuki wondered.
She said she was more concerned about her property.
"What will happen to my property when I die? I want to donate my property to brilliant students of two schools in Kushtia," Khuki said.
READ MORE: Life and times of an independent woman society termed 'insane'
Comments