Century-old blacksmith

Sahidullah Miah, at age 135 still going strong with a 5 kg hammer at his blacksmith shop. Photo: STAR

Sahidullah Miah, a 135 year old man still works as a blacksmith. He resides at the village Bamoner Basa of Kamlabari Union at Aditmari Upazila in Lalmonirhat. with  his 5 kg hammer hitting iron everyday at his shop. His tireless work is an encouragement to others of all ages.
He is known as the 'Dada' (grandfather) in the village. Everyone, from children to the elderly, always address him as Dada. Locals and family members have informed that Sahidullah Miah always goes to his shop after Fazar prayer and stays till midnight keeping himself busy producing iron made accessories.
His two wives Saher Banu and Khodeza Begum passed away 50 years ago. He has 8 children and 13 grandchildren. His three younger brothers and sister also passed away. Now, he is with his third wife Zohra Begum, with whom he has five children. All of his children are married and now he lives with his youngest son, Zohurul Haque.
Sahidullah Miah is originally from Shingrabari village of Kazipur Upazila in Sirajganj district. He settled in Lalmonirhat about 60 years ago.
“I never purchased a single piece of land in my long profession life and now I live on a six decimal land which is owned by my third wife Zohra Begum.” He added that he never took tobacco in his life, resulting him never to face any disease other than fever. He prays five times everyday.
His youngest son Zohurul Haque said, “I tell my father not to work, but he doesn't listen”. He says he wants to work until his last breath. He feels that his father is more energetic than him. “Me and my father we work together and earn about Tk. 400 to 500 per day. My father never demands for anything, he always encourages us to be honest,” he said.
An aged villager Abdur Rahman Munsi, aged 98 said, Sahidullah Miah is older by many years than him but the blacksmith is still strong and works but he is unfit for doing any work. “I address the blacksmith as uncle as my late father was one of his friends,” he said.
Local UP member Afsar Ali said, since July 2007, the aged blacksmith gets old-age allowance. Beside that Sahidullah Miah never comes to him for any other help.
“Many of my near and dear ones are dead, some of them comes in my dream and they call upon me to accompany them. I may leave this world soon,” Sahidullah Miah said. He hopes to work as a blacksmith till his last days.