Savar rescuers honoured for their efforts

Ninth-grader Tushar was not the only one honoured for his rescue efforts in the Savar tragedy, but his exceptional courage gained him special notice in the award-giving ceremony organised by the Workers' Party of Bangladesh in the capital yesterday.
Tushar, a student of Probhati Ideal School, showed maturity beyond his years while working on spot for 22 days rescuing people and recovering the dead, reported awardees.
"The people trapped inside gave the biggest inspiration - their spirit was ever-optimistic and their belief in my capability to get them out was unfailing. In future I would like to continue doing the work I did at Savar," Tushar told The Daily Star over phone.
Other children like him who received awards included members of Red Crescent Society, Boy Scouts and Girl Guides.
Over 200 individuals and ten organisations were awarded for their contribution in the rescue efforts.
The presence of women among the awarded was especially noticeable, and among the many females regarded with special honour were Asma Akhter Liza, a theatre artist, and Rowshan Jahan Lisa, an activist of the Gonojagoron Mancha.
Also honoured were Managing Director of Enam Medical College Hospital Dr Enamur Rahman who provided free emergency medical services, Fire Service and Civil Defence Director of Admin and Finance Abdus Salam who conducted rescue operations,  Bangladesh Red Crescent Society Secretary General Mozharul Huq who collected blood, senior teachers at Adhar Chandra High School Yusuf Harun and Mohammad Golam Mostafa who hosted bodies of the deceased in their playground,  Additional Superintendent of Police Mohammad Faruk Hossain, and the mother of Omar Faruk, who died while conducting rescue operations.
Special mention was made to the memory of Mohammad Ezazuddin Chowdhury Kaikobad who was also killed during rescue operations.
Workers' Party of Bangaldesh President Rashed Khan Menon lauded the efforts made by all the rescuers at Savar, terming the citizen base as the country's major source of resilience to disasters.
It was noted by experts at the ceremony that the situation of garment workers in the country is still deplorable.
"Discussions are already underway between the government, BGMEA and workers. We have already proposed to the government to build a rehabilitation centre in the Rana Plaza site, and compensate workers according to how much money they could have earned in their lifetimes, instead of giving a lump sum of just Tk 1 lakh to everyone, "stated Menon, in a sideline to the ceremony.
The ceremony was held in the Planning and Development Academy.