A rare example of sacrifice

Next to creating a life the finest thing a man can do is save one, said the seminal American president Abraham Lincoln.

And Jashore's Abdul Hakim yesterday indeed did the finest of deed in the town's Railgate area. Sadly, he did not live to take in the plaudits.

Like every morning, he was returning home from his morning walk, when he noticed a seven-year-old child dangerously crossing a rail line in the area -- with a speeding train fast approaching.

He instinctively rushed to rescue the child, successfully dragging him from the rail track.

Hakim, however, slipped on the rail track as it was wet due to morning rain, and the onrushing Betna Express, a local train that operates on the Khulna-Benapole route, hit him, said witnesses.

Passers-by rescued Hakim and took him to Jashore General Hospital where the on-duty doctor declared him dead.

He died on the way to the hospital, said Shahinur Rahman, the on-duty doctor at the emergency ward of Jashore General Hospital.

Hakim's brother Rafikul Islam said the 52-year-old Hakim was involved in social activities alongside his watch shop in the district town.

He used to go on morning walks as part of a local health-awareness campaign Bhorer Shathi.