No food in the house, pressure of installments, children waiting for father’s return
Photo Collected
Farmer Bakul Das (45) suffered a stroke after seeing paddy sinking in Hakaluki Hawar. He is under treatment at Osmani Medical College Hospital in Sylhet for a few days. His wife Niva Rani Das is with him in the hospital. Three children at home. The landless Bakul live on the next land. This time Boro planted paddy with a loan of about one lakh rupees from various private organizations. Now besides crop failure, installment pressure has also increased.
Bakul’s home in Kalnigarh village of Hakaluki Howarpar of West Juri Union of Juri Upazila of Moulvibazar. 10-12 families live in the same courtyard. Four brothers live separately in a small house with a tin shed and a fence. Each room is crowded with family members.
After going to the house on Wednesday afternoon, it was seen that the family members were trying to dry the wet rice in the yard. At that time, the field worker of a private organization came to collect installments and returned after hearing about Bakul’s illness.
Relatives said that Bakul runs a tea shop on the side of the road in Bhabaniganj Bazar of Upazila Sadar. As it is difficult to run the family with that income, every year Barga cultivates paddy in the land. This time Hakaluki cultivated Boro on seven bigha land in Duganga area of Pingla Bill in Haor. Recently, due to heavy rains and landslides from upstream, five bigha of paddy was submerged under water. Seeing that scene, he returned home and fell ill. Later he was taken to Sylhet.
Bakul’s elder daughter Neepa Rani Das is a student of the local Taibunnecha Khanam Government College. Meaning, could not fill the HSC exam form this time. Son Vishal Das is in class IX and daughter Tinni Rani Das is in class VI.
Talking about her father’s illness, Neepa says, ‘It was very stormy for a few days. I have not gone out of the house. In the meantime, we got the news that our water has gone home. Father left in the rain. In the evening Barit Aya was very worried. The rice was gone and the father could no longer hold himself together. Vomiting After that suddenly went to bed, no mother talk. I took him to the upazila government hospital. I checked with the doctor and it was a stroke (bleeding disease of the brain). I will take you to the hospital in Sylhet as soon as possible. After Sylhet Niya filling oil.’
Nipa said that their parents are in Sylhet for seven or eight days. He had some pocket money. After two days of buying oil, dal, masalapati with it, all the money is gone. Since then the three siblings have been eating in the same house at the house of uncle Rubel Das.
As soon as Neepa finished speaking, Vishal said, ‘After father went to Sylhet, this is a three-day instalment. I have explained to them. Everyone is back. Father has a loan of 1 lakh rupees in three banks. Earlier, I sold tea and paddy to my father and gave installments. The shop is closed, there is no hope of getting rice. Now installments are given. Family, father’s medical expenses kila chalat-au chinta-u we do. The paddy is gone, father is healthy and there is peace when he comes home.’
According to Nipa, two bigha of paddy was harvested before water entered. But due to lack of sun many rice seedlings have grown. Three siblings are trying to dry them together.
West Juri Union Parishad member Madanmohan Das said that most of the people of Kalnigarh and Khakteka areas are poor farmers. This time, everyone is more or less affected by the crop loss. Bakul’s name is also in the list of agriculture department.
Upazila Agriculture Officer Mahmudul Alam Khan said that the list of 2500 affected farmers has been sent to the higher authorities.
Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Mushfiqin Noor said, “Necessary assistance will be provided by the administration for Bakul’s family.”
0%
0%
0%
0%
