Earning a living with an exceptional memory
Mizanur Rahman, a youth living on a char on Brahmaputra River in Kurigram, is visually challenged since birth, but that did not prevent him from earning a living.
Mizanur has an exceptional ability to remember clearly anything that he hears once, and this enabled him to earn a livelihood.
The 22-year old has a small shop at Tapur Char Bazar in Bandober union under Rowmari upazila, offering mobile balance recharge and money transfer services and selling small electric parts, and earning around Tk 300-350 every day.
And, despite being visually challenged, Mizanur never made a single error in the service he provides. In fact, he has over 3,000 mobile phone numbers memorised, including those of all the villagers, and can recognise the voice of over 5,000 mobile users. He knows his phones really well, always pressing the right keys and that too very fast, and he is popular in the locality for delivering his services promptly.
Son of Mantaz Ali (48), a farm labourer, and Momena Khatun (44), a housewife, in the remote Tangaripar village under the upazila, Mizanur is the youngest of two siblings. His elder sister, Mariom Khatun, has been married off.
"I started my business with only Tk 1,000 in 2017 at Chan Miah's shop. I learnt to use mobile phones, press keys fast without making any mistake, and within six months I managed to offer money transfer service using mobile applications," Mizanur told The Daily Star.
"As all the shopkeepers and villagers gradually began coming to the shop, I got all the villagers' numbers in my memory. Locals can pay electricity bills, or recharge their mobile phone balance, or transfer money from the shop. I also sell electric spare parts on the side," he said.
Working from 9:00am to 9:00pm every day, Mizanur makes mobile balance recharges between Tk 6,000-7,000, money transfers of Tk 20-25 thousand and sells electric spare parts worth Tk 800-1,000 daily.
"All of us in the area use Mizanur's services regularly," said Nur Islam, a local businessman.
Mizanur once dreamt to continue his studies, but could not go far due to extreme poverty. He studied up to eighth grade at Dakkhin Tapur Char Dakhil Madrasa in the upazila. He is also an excellent reciter of the Holy Quran.
"I have saved Tk 30,000 till now. If I could save more, I would buy some electrical parts, mobile phones and parts for my shop. This would grow my business and raise my income," said Mizanur, adding that he is also saving up for his eye treatment in future.
Mizanur's father Mantaz Ali said they only have a two decimal land with a tin-shed room for sleeping, plus a kitchen with a straw-roof.
After working all day on others' lands, he goes to his son's shop to assist him in returning home.
"Doctors in Kurigram, Rangpur and Dhaka said our son would regain vision if he underwent surgery, but we could not bear the expenses," he said.
"I want to see everything with my eyes but I have not had that fortune. If the Almighty gives me an opportunity to undergo surgery, may be one day I will see the world," Mizanur said.