Star Diary
LOST CHILDHOOD
When I arrived at the doorstep of the student I tutor, I saw a boy, who was around 10 to 12 years old, working hard with other adults at a nearby establishment. I knew him from before and that's probably the reason why he was pretending that he didn't work there but was rather just helping those people. He seemed embarrassed that I had seen him working, so I pretended not to notice him and walked away slowly. I suddenly stopped, however, and looked back to see him busy with his work. He had thought that I had left the place and probably was relieved that I wouldn't come back to see him working instead of studying. I knew that he had no other option but to work at this young age. His father, who was the sole provider of the family, had passed away a few days ago. Instead of going to school he decided to sacrifice his childhood for the sake of his family. I was heartbroken and asked myself whether he deserved such a fate. Although his income might not be completely sustainable, it is still a significant contribution for his poor family. Several kids have to give up their dreams to ensure the financial security of their family. I dream of a day when every child will be seen in school or playing grounds, instead of working for a living.
Md Ashiqur Rahman Tiash
Chittagong
***
THEY DESERVE BETTER
A multi-storied building near our house was being painted a few days ago. You could see men dangling from ropes, standing bare-feet on bamboo sticks for support. Safety equipment is a must for hazardous job but these guys didn't even have a safety net, rope or harness, let alone other safety measure. Watching these people dangling near those windows, risking their lives for some money really frightened me. They have the right to a safe life just like the rest of us. They shouldn't die from an unnatural accident just because some of us think that their lives don't matter. They truly deserve much more than this.
Rayan Rabbani
Scholastica, Mirpur
Dhaka
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