Md Mostafa, An Ex-Driver and a Boatman from Noakhali

Md Mostafa, An Ex-Driver and a Boatman from Noakhali

by | Feb 12, 2022

‘If you lie, you can make a good profit as well as you can prevail as a good friend and colleague. Neither did I want to lie nor did I want to profit by fooling others. There’s no glory in these.’ This is what Md Mostafa said today, and once again I was amazed by a random stranger. Md Mostafa, an ex-driver and a boatman from Noakhali walked many roads and lived many lives in his journey on earth to date.

He was born and raised in Swahdweep, a small island in the Bay of Bengal which falls in Chattogram District. Now he lives in Shubornochar, Noakhali. In his early life, he started working as a fisherman but later switched to the driving profession as he could not make much for his living from fishing. After a few years of being a helper/ co-driver at one stage, he managed to get a professional driving license for a long vehicle (transporter). He used to earn quite more than what he earns now being a boatman but left the job willingly.

While hearing his story, I was curious to know what has made him leave that well-paid profession, which ultimately resulted in being a boatman. Then he revealed an inside story of our transportation sector, how drivers are fooling their masters, and how their masters are suppressing them every day. Well, maybe we can discuss those inside stories some other day. Md Mostafa has neither liked living life to someone else’s desire nor did he want to earn corrupt money. So, with his prior knowledge, he ended up as a boatman.

He has bought this boat, which was used to be a fishing trawler eleven years back by Taka-95,000 ($1100/ Though today it is worth much more). And later he has spent few thousand more to make it suitable to ferry people, goods, cattle, etc. Today he is the master of himself. He does not work for anybody but him only. He works, when he wants to work, he sleeps when he wants to sleep. He always keeps his light sleeping arrangements in his boat. Sometimes he rests in the middle of the river, sometimes he rests at the bank of the river, sometimes he takes his boat up to his home and sleeps there.

Md Mostafa, An Ex-Driver and a Boatman from Noakhali Md Mostafa, An Ex-Driver and a Boatman from Noakhali

Md Mostafa, is Repairing His Own Boat

Today Md Mostafa is a father of seven children. Among them four are daughters, and three are sons. With all the difficulties he overcame to date, he is a happy man today. Three of his daughters are married, and one is studying, while all three of his sons are studying. His life neither offered him any charm nor any comfort. Rather he was encountered by pirates thirteen times, his land has been gulped by the river, and faced many other odds including accidents. But, after all the struggles of years after years today he lives his own life, his four children go to school, he has his own house and cultivable land, and he is living a happy life with absolutely no resentment.

His charismatic personality, honesty-integrity, commitment, dedication, and knowledge of life-saving skills made him an admirable person in his neighborhood. My boatman today failed to keep his commitment, which forced me to wait there for an hour. Despite knowing that it would be dark to reach the other end of the river, I did not become mad at him, because I never do so. Rather I have enjoyed that hour talking to this gentleman and thanked Almighty Allah for this blessing in disguise.

I know there are many more, Md Mostafa, around us, whose stories are neither heard by most of us nor they are shared by anyone. I am on a mission to unfold these stories of our unsung heroes, for whom we can dream of a better world tomorrow. If you have a story to share please contact us. If you still do not have any story in hand, share ours.

Md Mostafa, An Ex-Driver and a Boatman from Noakhali
Mosammat Mitu, a Handicraft Worker from Dashuria, Pabna, Bangladesh

Mosammat Mitu, a Handicraft Worker from Dashuria, Pabna, Bangladesh

by | Feb 6, 2022

The most important industries in Bangladesh in early and medieval times comprised handicrafts and cottage industries, such as textiles, wood works, cane and bamboo works, jute products, clay and pottery, etc. Later jute products have brought revolution in handicraft industries and used to bring a large sum of foreign currency for Bangladesh. Unfortunately that golden era did not last too long. With the shutdown of many government owned Jute Factory, gradually the golden past of this industry has been shutting down too in around 2000s. However, in recent years Bangladesh has witnessed miracle in this industry again as few companies have invested huge money and exploited the opportunities created around the globe. BD Creation is one of them, and they are one of the largest handicraft product exporters at present in Bangladesh.

They are not only earning a huge sum of foreign currency for Bangladesh but also creating huge amount of job opportunities to the underprivileged, poor, and marginal people. Mosammat Mitu from Dashuria, Pabna is one of them, who works here wholeheartedly and in return earns around Taka-5,000 (five thousand taka only/ 58$) a month. Though apparently this amount seems very low, she has no complain about that. Rather she is happy that BD Creation has created a job for not only her but also for her mother. Moreover, with the time as she would grow more expertise, her salary will also increase. She is aware that without training and knowledge it is difficult to get a job anywhere, but BD Creation gave this job to her and her mother without any prerequisite. After being enrolled here they have learned how to do what.

Mitu’s journey in life upto today’s point was not easy. Her parents could not afford her study thus she ended up her study after class 7, and since then she used to help her mother in household affairs. Her poor father who is a cook in a village restaurant does not earn much. Her whole life she has sacrificed all her dreams, desire, and expectations. But now, Mitu and her mother contribute to the family expense and help Mitu’s father. Moreover, what Mitu could not do, she is now helping her little sister to do that; Study! Her sister is young and Mitu want her sister to study as long as she would be able to assist. What an inspiring story!

BD Creation Factory in Dashuria, Pabna Mosammat Mitu (Left, Green Dress) and her sister

BD Creation factory at Dashuria, Pabna, Bangladesh on the left, and Mosammat Mitu (green dress) and Her Sister on the Right

This Mitu from Pabna is not alone. There are many characters around our beautiful country as well as around the world, who are constantly making such inspiring stories, and building a better tomorrow for the rest of the world. Their sacrifices are never seen or appreciated. At times they just get lost in the course of time. We want more and more Mitus and her mother amongst us.

Johirul from Chattogram, Bangladesh

Johirul from Chattogram, Bangladesh

by | Jan 18, 2022

Throughout the world thousands of organizations including the United Nations and its sister concerns are working to stop the child labor across the world. But the fact is still several million children work for extremely long hours in exchange for little pay at the risk of maltreatment, workplace violences, health issues, as well as at the cost of their lives. Instead of being in school, these children are left at mercy of a cruel world where they continue to struggle hard as child labors. Despite government recognition of laws against child labor and empty-pledges made by politicians to end child labor in the country, these children – our future – is being crushed by the unkind society.

One such child labor, Johirul, (Age-Not known, May be around 12), working for the last few years is not alone in his profession. When asked about his education, he answered negatively that he never went to school. Then I asked him about his dream, he answered “Nothing, no dream, I just want to live and have food three times a day”.

Like Johirul there are several thousand children living miserable lives by working 10-14 hours a day and earning as little as Tk-80-100 per day in the glamorous cities such as Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet, etc. Unfortunately, in many places they just earn their food three times a day without any cash payment.

Most children work in auto-mechanical shops while several others work as car washer and cleaner. Others can be seen mending flat tyres, selling flowers at traffic signals, or selling fruit and vegetables in markets or working as house-maids.

The irony of fate is, people around these children are building their fortune, turning their dreams into reality by the cost of these children’s golden childhood, their priceless dreams.

I am sure Johirul has survived the cruelty of the world and made a way for himself. I am also hopeful that he has and still is trying to make peoples’ life better wherever he is.

Kalpona Didi from Khagrachari, Bangladesh

Kalpona Didi from Khagrachari, Bangladesh

by | Sep 2, 2021

This portrait has been photographed on the top of Alutila Hill in Khagrachari, Bangladesh on 18 July 2011. Have a close look, please. I Hope, you are realizing the height of the hill. This is approximately 1865 ft above sea level, where she was working.

The name of this Girl is Kalpona. I called her Kalpona Didi. She and her family live on the downhill of this hill. Every day in the morning she and other members of her family including her husband come here and take care of their crops.

She was a mother of two kids, and one of them was two years old in 2011. Sadly her other child died at the age of two. Her husband’s name is Shotish, who works with her in this field.

This photograph might seem a serene, peaceful, and beautiful one to you but the life they lead isn’t that spectacular. Every single second they are fighting for their livelihood. Despite their struggle, they are profoundly happy and simple. And that is the most amazing thing I have seen in them. Their vision towards gender mainstreaming, even without knowing anything about this phrase was really remarkable. They survive such a struggle because they work as a team, and no matter what, they never leave the clan. While Kalpona Didi was working at one side of the hill, Shotish was doing the same kind of work nearby.

Md Jalal Khan from Pabna, Bangladesh

Md Jalal Khan from Pabna, Bangladesh

by | Sep 2, 2021

This portrait has been photographed at Ishwardy Railway Junction in Pabna, Bangladesh on 02 September 2021

His is Md Jalal Khan. He has no idea how old he is. However, he guessed that he might be 65 years old. He is a father of two sons and a daughter. All his life he struggled to manage food for him as well as for his family, and barely could manage to send his children to school. One of his sons works in a garage, while the other works in a Cloth store as a salesman. His daughter is better of in relation to his sons, who work in Export Processing Zone (EPZ) at Ishwardy, Pabna, Bangladesh.

He cannot read or write. I have requested him for his mobile number, which he could not tell. Once I asked him that why he could not go to school, he shared his sad past. He is originally from the Faridpur district of Bangladesh. But after the liberation war, he migrated to Ishwardy as it was an important township, and had offered many works including day laborers. Since then he is staying here and has made Pabna his home. With all the savings he could save all his life he purchased a piece of land (one Katha, approximately 500sqft area). He has also built a small tin house on that land, though that is not enough to house all family members.

He is basically a day laborer, who is an expert in tin works. On those days when he is hired, he gets Tk-700 ($8). However, on average he works 10 to 12 days a month. As this is not enough, he also often pulls rickshaws in the town. On top of that, he often helps Mr. Sudev in his small restaurant, which helps him to manage few pieces of bread in the morning.

My meeting with Md Jalal was a rewarding event for me as knowing about people makes me feel good. But, it was a sad event too to start the day, peoples’ struggle for their existance makes me sad. Life of Jalal and his family is filled with unimaginable struggles, which remains unknown to most of us.

Certainly, we all are fighting our own battles, and in most of the cases one is not aware of the battle of a random stranger. But, in a fair world everyone deserves to have a good life with foods on their table, and a place to sleep. I am sure, there are stories of even more dire situation than Jalal. My prayers for their wellbeing. I also pray to almighty that oneday I will be able to reachout to these people and help them change their lives apart from just listening to their stories.

Mannan Pramanik from Pabna, Bangladesh

Mannan Pramanik from Pabna, Bangladesh

by | Aug 27, 2021

This portrait has been photographed on 27 August 2021 at Ishwardy Upazilla in Pabna, Bangladesh.

He is Md Mannan Pramanik. He was born in Ullahpara, Shirajganj, Bangladesh on 29 December 1963. Mannan is working as a Collie (load/ luggage bearer in the train/ bus station) for more than thirty years in Ishwardy Railway Station. Though he was born and has been raised in Shirajganj, yet he is settled in Pabna now.

Mannan is a father of four grown-up men. As a father, he is quite successful despite his tremendously difficult life. He raised his sons and gave them education amidst his social and economical challenges. One of them is working in a private company in Malaysia, one is serving in Bangladesh Navy, one owns a small business in Pabna, and the youngest one is studying in a college in Pabna.

He does not earn much from his work. As such from the urge of earning more he has successfully diversified his source of income. Apart from carrying loads of passengers in train station he occasionally trades of raw materials, seasonal vegetable, fruits, etc.

I asked him, why he still works! He laughed and replied that this work is keeping him fit. If he leaves work, he fears that he would fall sick, while I was wondering how this man carrying so many loads at this age and climbs stairs every now and then.

People who work with him are generally reluctant of sending their children to school. To many of them, education is a luxury, and some of them employ their children to generate income. Mannan stands out in his community for the outstanding sacrifice and effort he has made for raising his children to the best of his capacity. Well, he has expressed gratitude to his wife as well for the dedication and sacrifice she made in the journey.

Respect for Mannan and his wife. I am certain there are many more Mannan around us, whose stories are yet to be revealed. I sincerely hope and pray that Mannan will continue inspiring people around him to invest where he has invested. Thank you Mannan Pramanik.