The beginning of the story is of taka 450

The original news titled “গল্পের শুরুটা ৪৫০ টাকার” was published on April 22, 2015 in the daily Prothom Alo in Bengali language. When I read the news and came to know the life struggle of a woman named Hasna Begum, I became very inspired and immediately decided to translate it into English. Here, in this post, I am sharing the translated one with all of you. I expect that seeing her success, many poverty-stricken women in our society will be motivated to do something good on their own. Link of the original news has been given at the end of the post. If you feel like reading the original one then you can clink on the link.

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Hasna Begum has her own factory where almost 200 women have become self-reliant working there. Hasna Begum has also trained them. But there was a time when she used to work in other’s factory for taka 450 as salary per month.

What factory does Hasna Begum have? She said, “Mainly I have garments factory. Three-piece, Panjabee, silk-woven saree etc. are made here. I also do handicraft on saree and make cushion cover and different types of show piece made by cloth.” She takes products from her factory named MPK Fabrics to fairs organized at home and abroad. Alongside, she has built a factory for making poultry food.

Hasna Begum’s house is in BSCIC area of Rajshahi city. Her husband’s name is Rezaul Ahsan. They have four children. Eldest son has become graduate. Two daughters are studying in polytechnic institute while the youngest son studies in class six. Hasna Begum studied till class ten. She got married in 1985. Before marriage, she used to work at other’s factory in BSCIC area for a monthly wage of taka 450. Joining her husband’s family after marriage, she started dreaming of building a factory using her past working experience.

Hasna Begum revealed, she took training from the Department of Women Affairs in 1990. “With the help of my husband, I started the business with 60,000 taka. At first, there were four hand-loom machines. I took part in a local trade fair and noticed that there was demand for our products. Afterwards, my interest got increased”, said Hasna Begum.

Her husband had a small land in Rajshahi city. They did not have the ability to utilize this land. Having gathered some courage, Hasna sold the land and bought four engine-run loom machines. Since then, the scope of her business began expanding.

In 2006, Hasna Begum through the Women Chamber of Commerce and Industries took part in a trade fair organized in Kolkata. But, she did not get response as expected. Yet, Hasna was not disappointed. She registered an association named ARC in Export Promotion Bureau after coming back to the country. Since then, Hasna began to take part in different fairs organized abroad every year. She already participated in trade fairs organized in Nepal, and in several states of India including Kolkata, Assam and Gauhati.

Hasna Begum has no time to take rest. She herself has opened a training institute. She provides training to poor women. Every year, 130 women take training in handcraft from this training center. She provides these trained women yarn and fabric. They do work from home on sarees and cushion covers and make different types of show pieces before delivering them to Hasna Begum. Now, 15 women are working in her factory as employee. Besides, 40 women work for her staying at home. According to her estimate, at least 200 women have become self-reliant.

In 2014, Hasna Begom received government’s ‘Joyeeta’ award in Rajshahi division level.

Source:

Prothom Alo 

Beggar Gaher Ali’s Palm Empire

Gaher Ali is a 100-year-old plus senior citizen from Shikarpur village under the Bhimpur union in Naogaon district. He cannot walk upright. Still he has been planting trees one after another, only palm trees. At over hundred years old, Gaher Ali does not have the ability to buy seeds of other fruit trees and expensive forest trees. He begs for a living at this age. He asks for rice, lentil and palm seeds while begging from people. He carries the palm seeds on his bag and plants them on both sides of the government roads. On January 30, 2009, Ityadi, a popular television program, telecast a report on Gaher Ali. Seeds germinate and put out shoots. Gaher Ali takes care of the saplings. He waters the trees. Trees grow up. This way, he has planted approximately 12,000 to 18,000 palm trees in his whole life. 

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Palm trees that are standing on two sides of the Rajshahi-Naogaon highway under the Bhimpur union were all planted by Gaher Ali. Apart from this regional highway, he also planted many palm trees in several places, including Eidgah grounds, school playground, graveyards and barren lands, in the area. Earlier, there were no trees along the roads of this region. There was no shelter for the passerby walking under the scorching sun. Then people had to endure a lot of suffering. Seeing this thing, the idea of planting trees comes to Gaher Ali’s mind. He started begging palm seeds along with food. He then started planting trees to give shadow to traveller. On the set of Ityadi, in reply to a question of the anchor, Hanif Sanket, Gaher Ali said, “His wish is to die in peace”. 

In recognition of his lifelong pursuit, Gaher Ali was handed over a cheque worth Tk 200,000 so that he would not have to beg at this age and seek help from others to continue his tree plantation. Following the telecast of this episode of Ityadi, Gaher Ali was honored with the inaugural National Environment Award in the category of environment preservation on June 5, 2009. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina handed him the National Environment Award 2009 at the Osmani Auditorium in Dhaka. He was then 107 years old. 

Ityadi team went to his house that time as well. But at this old age, Gaher Ali could not walk that long on his walking-stick to see his planted-trees. So, his son took him to his ‘palm empire’ carrying on a rickshaw van. With the money received from Ityadi, he planted some fruit trees, and he often used to ride a rickshaw van to go there to look after the trees. But he died of old age on December 27, 2010. His death brought tears of immense grief on many eyes. 

The trees, which were planted on both sides of the 2 kilometer long road from Balihar bridge to Khordo Narayanpur bridge under the Mahadevpur upazila of Rajshahi-Naogaon highway, had to cut down for widening and developing the road. At present, the road has been widened, but the ‘palm empire’ on two sides of the road is not there anymore. As a result, the road has lost much of its beauty, thus removing the last memory of Gaher Ali. 

Gaher Ali passed away many days ago, but because of his tremendous work, people of our country still remember him with honor. We need more people like Gaher Ali to make this earth green and beautiful as well as to protect it from being destruction. In the name of urbanization, we are cutting trees, thus reducing the size of forest. Wherever we look, we can see high-rise buildings. Have we ever thought that where from we will get oxygen? For the sake of our own life, each of us should plant at least three trees- a fruit tree, a forest tree and medicinal tree. I know it is not possible for people living in metropolitan areas, but they can plant trees in clay made tubs on their rooftops. 

The Historic Pink Ball Test Match is going to be Over Crowded

The second Test match between India and Bangladesh has come at the center of all attention because it is going to be the first-ever International Day/Night Test match for both teams. Millions of cricket fans are eagerly waiting to see the Test match that will be played with pink ball at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, India. To become a part of this historic Test match, cricket crazy people have started buying match tickets. The interesting thing is that tickets for the first four days have already been sold out, according to BCCI President Sourav Ganguly. No doubt it is going to be a crowd-packed Test cricket match. The Eden Gardens cricket stadium has 66,000 sitting capacity and no seat will remain empty.

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Like me, it is also the question of many people- “How many days will the players be able to carry on this match in pink ball?”. It is said that fast bowlers will get advantage. Do you think dew factory will play a major role in deciding the match’s fate?

The 5-day Test match between India and Bangladesh will start from November 22. This match will kick off at 1:00 pm Indian Standard Time (IST) and it will be kept playing till 8 O’clock evening. Sourav Ganguly earlier unveiled ‘Pinku-Tinku’ as the official mascots of the event.

Tasmina Aktar: The Girl who dreams to become a horse racer

A little girl riding on a speeding horse and flying her hair in the air is moving towards the victory line leaving all her male contenders behind. This scene is a part of a documentary made on the basis of a life of a young girl named Tasmina Aktar, a horse racer who lives in the northern part of the country. Because of her achievement in horse racing, she has become well-known as a horse girl not only in her village but also all over Bangladesh. 

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Tasmina Aktar came at the center of attention when a report titled “এক দুঃখীঘোড়সওয়ারের গল্প (The story of an afflict horse racer)” was published on June 17, 2015 in Odhuna section of Prothom Alo. This report outlined the struggles of her life as well as hurdles in her path to prolong the dream of becoming a successful horse racing jockey. The most important lesson that other people can learn from her story is that one needs to become obstinate to meet his or her hobby. 

Tasmina is as ordinary as other village girls, but her passion for horse riding and racing has made her separate from others. In a country like Bangladesh where 60 percent of the girls become the victim of child marriage, Tasmina aims to ride horse and join horse races at least for another five years. It is unquestionably a big challenge for her, because in rural society, grown up girls are not allowed to participate in outdoor games and horse race is beyond imagination. Despite many obstacles, Tasmina’s parents appeared as a ray of hope because they think that their daughter can play the game for two more years. 

Tasmina Aktar is an 11-year-old girl who was born and brought up at Chaksubal village under Dhamoirhat upazila of Naogaon district. She is the daughter of Obaidur Rahman (father) and Tohura Aktar (mother). She wants to become a horse jockey. But the problem is that she does not have any horse to participate in competitions. That is why, being stimulated by her desire, she along with her father, visited places where horse racing takes place. She participated in the competition using other people’s horses and won. The prizes she won were taken away by the horse owners. Some generous horse owners used to give them a little amount as transportation cost. Her poverty stricken father did not have the ability to buy her a horse. So wherever he heard of horse racing event taking place, he took her daughter. 

Every sad story has happy ending. It looks like that Tasmina’s sad part of life is going to an end. The report caught the attention of a businessman, Ulfat Kader, who dwells in Bailey Road area of Dhaka city. He has a horse farm in Gazipur where he handed over the horse. He gave Tasmina a horse on November 20, 2015. At the time of giving horse, Obaidur Rahman and local journalist of Dhamoirhat were also present. Ulfat Kader promised to help Obaidur’s daughter. He also provided Tk 7500 as transportation cost to take the horse from Dhaka. As the horse did not have any training, she could not ride on it in the farm. Just a day after brining the horse home, she tamed it and started training it for race. 

Tasmina’s good fortune did not last long. The horse she got as a gift was one eyed. So, racing with this horse was near impossible. Even she met with an accident while racing with this horse. Regardless of this bitter experience, she did not lose hope. Still she has to depend on other people’s horse to play the game. If any horse owner allows her to ride his horse, she can join the competition. She is well aware of the fact that if she wins the race then prizes will go to the owner. But Tasmina knows that it is meaningless to get upset and give up her dream. Her only desire is to ride horses and become victorious in horse race. She does not bother about medals and prizes. What she cares about is the joy of victory. 

In a male dominated society, we cannot think of a girl competing with her elder male competitors in a horse race. The most unexpected thing is perhaps seeing the girl defeating all male contestants and becoming champion. It is really difficult for a girl to get recognition in a patriarchal society. Tasmina feels sad when she hears the name of the horse owner being announced as a competitor instead of her. The demand that her name will be declared as a participator is a clear sign of her ignorance towards the norms of male dominated society. 

Her level of confidence and determination to achieve goals has made her source of inspiration for many young girls. Right now, her only dream is to have a big horse of her own. But big horse is very expensive which her poverty stricken father cannot buy for her. The question still remains- “Who will fulfill her dreams?” She also wants to join Bangladesh police after completing her education, but everything depends on her parents’ economic solvency as well as their willingness to provide their daughter facilities regarding education. 

By expressing her wish to be a successful horse racing jockey, Tasmina takes an attempt to break the traditional feminine roles determined by socio-cultural setting. Her contribution to women empowerment is noteworthy. She has set herself as an example of gender equity. She has proved that women are capable of doing anything that men can do. So there is no way to take them and their achievements lightly. It looks like that girls like Tasmina will fulfill the dream of Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain, the pioneer of feminism in Bengal. They will make a beautiful Bangladesh where male and female will be measured equally. The word “gender discrimination” will be removed forever from society, economy, culture and education. 

Two documentaries about Tasmina Aktar have been made so far. These documentaries are- “Tasmina The Horse Girl” and “ঘোড়সওয়ার”. Faridur Rahman directed and Mahbuba Begum Hena produced “Tasmina The Horse Girl” documentary earned recognitions and was also much-admired in several film festivals. It made its way to the 19th Olympia Film Festival for Children and Young people that took place in Pygros, Greece. In 2016, it was also selected for the Gender Equity Prize at the Prix Jeunesse International film festival at Munich, Germany. 

Another documentary titled “ঘোড়সওয়ার” was directed by Tanha Zafreen under the supervision of Anisul Hoque, a well-known writer. Voice was given by a popular actor and politician, Asaduzzaman Noor. A 6 minute 44 second long video is given below. In this video, people can see her struggles to fulfill her dream. 

The historic duel between Isa Khan and Raja Man Singh

In 1596, the duel between Raja Man Singh, commander-in-chief of the Mughal, and Isa Khan, chieftain of the Baro Bhuiyans (Twelve landlords), took place. This war happened at the confluence of the Brahmaputra River and Shitalakshya River, at the present-day Tangar village located at the southernmost edge of the Gafargaon Upazila in Mymensingh district. At that time, Raja Man Singh’s capital, Tok Nogori, was on the East side of the Shitalakshya River. It is located in the north-east of Kapasia Upazila in Gazipur district. In 1595, Raja Man Singh moved his capital from Rajasthan to Tok Nogori. Tangabo village and Tok Nogori were on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River, at the confluence of the Brahmaputra and Shitalakshya rivers. On the other side of the Brahmaputra River was Isa Khan’s famous Egarosindur fort.

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According to history, Raja Man Singh attacked the Egarosindur fort in the absence of Isa Khan. On receiving the news, Isa Khan rushed to the fort to save it. But Raja Man Singh’s soldiers were so tired that they expressed their unwillingness to get into the war. As a result, Isa Khan invited Raja Man Singh in a duel. Raja Man Singh agreed to the proposal. It was decided that whoever would win the duel would take the possession of the kingdom. Man Singh at first deceived in the duel. He first sent his son-in-law, who is stronger than him, in the battle-field. Mistaking him as Man Singh, Isa Khan got engaged with him in a duel. For that reason, Man Singh’s son-in-law died at the hands of Isa Khan. Then Man Singh, revealing his own identity, invited Isa Khan in the duel again. This time Man Singh himself was also defeated.

At one stage of the fight, Man Singh’s sword was broken. If Isa Khan was coward, he could have killed Man Singh then. But instead he gave his own sword to Man Singh without causing any harm to him. But Man Singh did not accept the sword. Then Isa Khan, descending from his horse, and being unarmed, proposed Man Singh to wrestle with him. But Man Singh did not accept it and embraced him. Being impressed by Isa Khan’s courage and greatness, he made friendship with him. When Man Singh took Isa Khan to the court of Emperor Akbar, he appointed Isa Khan as the ruler of 22 parganas and he was sent back to his homeland upon being conferred the title “Masnad-E-Ala”.

Isa Khan’s father was a Hindu. His name was Kalidas. During the reign of Husain Shah, Kalidas converted his religion to Islam. Thus Isa Khan was a Muslim. Whether he was a Hindu or Muslim, his heroism will always be considered as the bravery of a Bengali landlord. The Mughal rulers could not occupy the Bengal territory as long as Isa Khan was alive. However, after the death of this great ruler, Bengal also lost its glory as an independent nation as they came under the rule of the Mughal Empire.