PM’s grace smiles on poor family in Lalmonirhat

Soyful Islam, a habitant of Telipara village at Kaliganj in Lalmonirhat, has been pulling the traditionally cow-drawn oil grinder (ghani) by himself due to lack of cattle for the last 25 years.

His wife Morsheda Begum has been assisting him in this strenuous work.

The poor couple, parents of three children, run their family with the income from the sale of mustard oil and mustard cake (khoil) that they are able to extract by running the ghani for 5-6 hours a day.

Their news came to the notice of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina when a national daily ran a story on the impoverished couple on September 9, said sources at the PM's Press Wing.

The news touched the heart of the Prime Minister and prompted her to extend her hand in assistance to the poor family.

Sheikh Hasina decided to provide the family with a strong, young cow and Tk 10,000 as gifts to help them in running their ghani.

On behalf of the Prime Minister, Deputy Commissioner of Lalmonirhat Md Abu Zafor handed over the cow and Tk 10,000 cash money to the family last Thursday.

"The cow was purchased for Tk 120,000. We handed over the cow and the Tk 10,000 cash money on Thursday afternoon," the Deputy Commissioner told UNB.