Rahul Gandhi visits Brac projects
Abject poverty had forced Fatema Begum of Kapasia to stop her study after she passed SSC examinations in 1993 but could not take away the thirst for knowledge from her.
The 30-year-old woman, who has become solvent after starting selling medicines for common seasonal diseases, resumed her study last year and is going to sit for the HSC exams next year.
"I send my two sons to school and bear all the expenses of my family," Fatema said, sitting beside the display of her medicines at Torgao UP complex in Kapasia, Gazipur, when Indian parliament member and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited the area yesterday to see Brac's microfinance activities.
Like Fatema, Amena, Nargis, Farzana, Monwara and Hamida, who are among 30 members of Brac's microfinance programme in Lahuripara, also turned up there to tell their success stories to Rahul, who is now on a five-day visit to Bangladesh.
Rahul, son of Congress President Sonia Gandhi and former Indian prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, listened to the stories of how these women lifted themselves out of poverty after receiving small loans and training on farming, fishing and cattle rearing.
The 38-year-old Congress leader also visited Brac's pre-primary and primary schools, human rights and legal education class, ante-natal care facilities, community library, adolescent centre and teacher training programme in Gazipur amid tight security.
But the members of police, Rapid Action Battalion, Special Security Force and Indian security team could not stop him from interacting with common people who gathered at different places to see him.
After visiting Lahuripara, Rahul went to Torgaon East village where 26 students of Brac's pre-primary school recited rhymes, danced and rendered patriotic songs. These students get free education materials and they do not have to pay any tuition fees.
He stood up when the students of Raonite primary school sang the national anthem.
"So, when are you coming to India for a visit?" he asked the kids.
"When we grow a little more," they replied.
Dr Mahbub Hossain, executive director of Brac, accompanied Rahul Gandhi and his team members, including Rajiv Gandhi Foundation Secretary Gyanendra Badgaiyan and trustee Suman Dubey, during their visit.
Rahul also had a meeting with Brac Chairperson Fazle Hasan Abed at the Brac Centre in the evening.
He will visit Grameen Bank projects at Shingair in Manikganj today and the bank's head office at Mirpur in Dhaka tomorrow.
Rahul will leave Dhaka on Tuesday morning.
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