The story behind Jahid’s viral video unfolds

 

Remember the video of the boy singing a local song with a tourist in Cox's Bazar that went viral last month? Well, thanks to the musician in the video the story does not end there.

This is a remarkable story of how social media drastically changed the life of a nine-year-old boy and about the man that made it happen.

A video of nine-year-old Jahid, a local boy from Cox's Bazar singing the folk song 'Modhu Koi Koi Bish Khayaila' with the tunes of a ukulele surfaced last month and the people of Bangladesh went crazy. The video gained huge momentum in Facebook, where it was featured by the news media, picked up numerous Facebook pages and virally shared by the public.

Emran Hossain, the musician who posted the video online gained instant recognition and was lauded for his impromptu performance with the child, but whatever happened to Jahid?

Overwhelmed by the response that he received, Emran was encouraged to venture out to Cox's Bazar once more in search of the tiny talent. He was surprised to see that he was being recognised there and some even referred to him as 'Jahid's Emran'.

While roaming the streets of the coastal area, two hands grabbed Emran from behind. Jahid had found him. He soon got to know that soon after the video went viral, Jahid's life changed drastically. He was hired by one of the top hotels in Cox's Bazaar, Sayeman Resort as an evening folk singer. The hotel management admitted him into a private school, and also arranged lessons for him to learn new songs.

Jahid earthy voice is now accompanied by the tabla and flute with an ambiance of tranquility, available for everyone to relish.

"With the proper training, he will be very successful in life. I know it," said Emran, "I am very happy for him and overjoyed by the fact that I had some contribution in changing this boy's life."

Jahid and his brother is the sole breadwinner of their six member family. There are many children like Jahid who roam around the beach giving people back rubs, massages and even sing for them in return for some money. It seems like a way better alternative for begging. This recognition, job and even the proper education promises a new life for Jahid.

"I don't want to bring him to Dhaka. He has his family there who need him and for the time being his life seems to be better there."

This just goes to show the power that social media does indeed have real implications, and how with the right encouragement it has the ability to change a person's life completely.