A self-made man

Jamir Uddin, a landless and homeless day labourer, applied for a house at a government shelter project in 2018. Following his application, he was allotted a two-room house built on two decimals of land at Andulbaria Ashrayan Project under Jibannagar upazila of Chuadanga on June 20, 2021.

This was a gift given by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the occasion of Mujib Barsha.

"This house changed my destiny," said Jamir Uddin.

Jamir hails from Shahapur village in the upazila. His father was also a day labourer and landless.

He said he used to live in a shanty in the area. After getting the house at the Ashrayan Project, Jamir planned to change his fate. He left his day labourer job. He started a business of buying and selling bananas.

He collects raw bananas from the area and sells those to different markets. Gradually, he started counting the profits. He bought a van when he could afford it. Using the van, his business expanded.

"Every month, apart from all expenses, my income rose to Tk 20,000 to Tk 30,000," said Jamir Uddin.

Within six months, Jamir bought eight decimals of land in the same area spending Tk 2.5 lakh. He also built a house there.

"I don't think I'm landless now. The gift given by the prime minister is no longer applicable to me," said Jamir.

Jamir thought of returning the home provided by the government. He expressed his intention to return the land with home by a written application submitted to Jibannagar upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) on January 18 this year.

In the application, Jamir Uddin mentioned that other landless and homeless families should be given the house.

Contacted, UNO Ariful Islam admitted the fact. He said he has accepted the plea of Jamir Uddin.

"We are happy with the improvement of Jamir Uddin. We have thanked him and informed the matter to the deputy commissioner (DC) in Chuadanga," the UNO said.

Chairman of Andulbaria Union Parishad Sheikh Shafiqul Islam Muktar also echoed the same when contacted.

He said Jamir Uddin is an example of his area. The homeless man has become successful on his own. At the same time, he returned the house and showed magnanimity.

Shahar Ali, who took shelter in the project at the same time as Jamir, also thinks that Jamir Uddin's success is his own.

Jamir said success can come easily and quickly if one works with the right thinking and decision. He thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

 He said the gift of the prime minister was the first step towards a change of his fortune.

When contacted, DC Aminul Islam Khan told The Daily Star that no doubt Jamir has set an example for others.

"We will consider the matter and initiate the process soon," the DC said.