Photo : Messenger
The general voters inhabiting the char areas of Gaibandha are exhibiting limited enthusiasm for the impending national elections, attributing their disinterest to a perceived dearth of development initiatives in their region.
Despite the picturesque landscape, residents grapple with substantial developmental gaps, particularly in healthcare and education. The 165 char areas of Gaibandha resonate with grievances about the overall neglect of their communities, creating a tangible disinterest among voters.
Gaibandha's unique geography, intersected by the Teesta, Brahmaputra, and Jamuna rivers, significantly influences the lives of the inhabitants along these waterways. Despite political shifts in key constituencies like Gaibandha-5, Gaibandha-1, and Gaibandha-2, the char residents have seen minimal improvements in their living conditions over the years.
The struggle for survival persists in towns vulnerable to natural disasters, hindering the primarily agricultural communities. Farmers, cultivating crops like corn, pepper, almonds, and sweet pumpkins, face challenges in securing fair prices due to inadequate infrastructure such as cold storage and sales centers. The absence of a proper milk marketing system compounds their difficulties, with ferry service suspensions further exacerbating the woes of the char areas.
Rafiqul Islam, a long-time resident, voiced the collective frustration, noting the absence of development and engagement from elected officials outside of election periods. Ekramul Karim highlighted the plight of farmers, emphasizing the need for a milk marketing system.
Maruf Ahmed, the director of the Gaibandha branch of Youth Net Global, emphasised the need for a long-term plan to uplift the fortunes of char residents. He urged increased public involvement from the local administration to address these persistent challenges.
Messenger/Fameema
