Shoe repairman in Manikganj fuels son’s academic dreams from roadside workspace
Photo Collected
Amidst the bustle of the Manikganj District Court premises, where lawyers and petitioners navigate crowded walkways, a poignant scene of dedication unfolds daily on the sidewalk. Fifty-five-year-old Sagar Rabidas, a cobbler who has spent the last seven years repairing footwear to support his family, spends his workdays alternating between his hammer and needle and his six-year-old son’s primary school textbooks.
For young Priyajit Rabidas, a student at Manikganj Town Government Primary School, the sidewalk has become a second classroom. While his father toils to make ends meet, the child sits by his side, practicing the alphabet and numbers. When the boy encounters a difficult lesson, the elder Rabidas—who never had the opportunity to complete his own education—steps in to guide him, drawing on the basic literacy he acquired in recent years at a local community center.
According to a report by Prothom Alo, the family lives in a cramped, damp dwelling in the West Dashra launch ghat area, shared with relatives. Despite their precarious financial situation, exacerbated by fluctuating earnings from the cobbling trade and the struggle to afford private tutoring, Rabidas remains steadfast in his ambition. He maintains that his own life of labor has instilled in him a profound appreciation for the power of education, and he is determined to ensure his children do not face the same limitations.
The sight of the father-son duo has become a fixture for legal professionals at the court. Assistant Public Prosecutor A.H.M. Mahfuz noted that while the father works under the open sky, his commitment to his son’s future is visible to everyone who passes by. He likened the boy’s potential to that of historical figures who overcame humble beginnings through persistent study.
Priyajit, meanwhile, remains optimistic about his future, harboring dreams of securing a stable job after finishing his education. While he currently navigates the daily commute to school on foot, he remains focused on his studies, with his father acting as both his primary provider and his first teacher. His school principal, Bazlur Rahman, confirmed that despite the family’s economic hardships, the father remains exceptionally proactive, frequently checking in on his son’s progress and demonstrating a level of parental dedication that transcends his humble surroundings.
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