Teenagers like Keshab Roy bring hope

PICK up any English-language Bangladeshi newspaper and the news pages are chock-a-block full with doom and gloom and reports of political unrest, sheer madness, disgraceful conduct, mayhem and human misery beyond belief.
It is truly a sad state of affairs when innocent children attempting to pay a social visit to their ill grandparents end up in hospital in excruciating pain and scarred for life with burns to 90% of their body. To those responsible and those who encourage or condone such inhuman behaviour there is no glory to be gained.
In view of that horrific backdrop, a relatively small report was published in The Daily Star Magazine (Dec12) that stood out like a beacon of hope. Above all it was a beautiful little story.
The story centres on 18-year-old Keshab Roy from Nilphamari.
Keshab was one of seven recipients of the Youth Courage Award presented by the United Nations earlier in the year for battling against child marriage and promoting education for all children. He has succeeded in preventing 25 child marriages in his area, and he's counselled over 50 dropout school students to continue with their education. A praiseworthy and remarkable achievement.
He himself quit school when he was in class six, after his father became ill, and worked in a pawnshop earning a paltry sum of Tk.300 per month to provide for his family. He was determined to complete his education and was fortunate to gain the kind support of Kanchon Chandra Roy, president of the NGO Surjomukhi, who also persuaded Keshab's father to allow him to return to school.
Keshab is the kind of young man Bangladesh needs -- the world needs.
People, like Keshab, who demonstrate unconditional love for their fellowmen and provide practical support for the greater benefit of others are rare and richly deserve the encouragement, support and respect of all.
During these times of political unrest when master puppeteers cast brother against brother and respect for the common man and property is put on hold, there is an even greater need for uplifting stories like that of Keshab's.
Every day most column centimetres of newspapers are crammed with negative, depressing news that entice you to slit your wrists before you've read all of them and zaps you of whatever little hope you had for Bangladesh. Surely it can't be all that bad... or is it?
 Any report that induces a smile, a warm inner glow feeling, and offers respite and hope from the current bilious reports would be a welcomed relief.

The writer is a human rights advocate, and a former newspaper publisher and editor.