Photo: TDM
Salma Begum (41) overcame physical obstacles in her life and has now enlightened the society as a successful woman. Although she lives in a dilapidated house given by her brother, he does not choose to beg but stands on her own feet.
In the zero point area of Jaipurhat city, her life is going on with a gift shop given by the municipal mayor, two goats and some chickens along with some sewing work at home. Habiba, the only girl in the family, is now studying in class seven in Khanjanpur High School.
Salma Bagem lives with her landless father, mother and brother in Chakshyam village, Ward No. 8, Dogachi Union, Sadar Upazila. Salma is the younger daughter of father Maqbul Hossain and mother Rekha Begum. Father Maqbul Hossain also died last year.
Salma's mother, Rekha Begum, said that Salma's left leg was paralyzed from the waist down due to lack of treatment after she had a severe fever when she was 6 months old. In this way, Salma, who grew up with disabilities, crossed the boundary of the nearby primary school and enrolled in Khanjanpur High School. The very talented Salma used to go to school with her classmates.
She also said, due to our financial difficulties, Salma stopped studying after passing the 8th standard. In 2001, we got her married to Shajahan Ali of Dandpani village in Amdai union. Then the only girl born in their family was named Habiba.
Salma Begum's sister and her aunt Mizanur Rahman of Chakshyam village said, “We have seen her since childhood, she never interfered in people's work. Rather, she herself always worked hard rearing goats and chickens and sometimes runs her household by sewing.
They said that Salma Begum stood on her own feet without being a burden to our society, it is a big achievement for us. We wish that if the government had arranged a house for her who lives in her brother's house, then she could have lived there with her daughter.
Salma Begum said, I have been disabled since I was six months old, even then I studied up to 8th standard. Then Shajahan Ali of Dandpani village of Sadar Upazila married me at the very moment when no one wanted to marry me as a disabled person. He married me even though he has another family there. But I didn't go there as his family condition was not that good. After that I am trying to do something on my own feet from my brother's house so that I don't have to beg or reach out to people.
She said, in 2006, the government also arranged disability allowance for me. I raise goats and chickens with that money. Seeing my situation, the mayor of Joypurhat municipality, Mostafizur Rahman Mostak, arranged a shop for me. In this shop I sell drinks and other things. With the grace of Allah, I use what I get from that shop for my household
Salma Begum has a lot of special land around her. An application was made to the Deputy Commissioner on April 6, 2014 for a piece of land, but luckily, a house has not been arranged so far.
Salma doesn't want to be burdened on her brother and his family. She says, can no one arrange a piece of land for me.
TDM/SD
