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.