A symbol of self-esteem is 'a house'!

  • Ruhul Amin, Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
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Photo: Barta24.com

Photo: Barta24.com

A 'house' of the Ukhiyar Asrayan project in Cox's Bazar has become a symbol of self-esteem in the lives of the very low-income neglected people; what emerged in the eyes of the residents of the Asrayan project!

All of them are residents of the Cox's Bazar Asryan Project received by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as a gift for 'Mujib Barsha'. One such person is Kamal Hossain.

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Earlier, he somehow got a place to live in exchange for dependent in other's land, but now he himself owns a house. He now owns one of the 88 houses of the T&T Hazem Road Shelter Project in Rajapalang Union of Ukhia Upazila of Cox's Bazar.

In 2022 Kamal Hossain was allotted this house along with land. When he asked about the house, an unprecedented picture of self-esteem and gratitude emerged in his eyes and face. The gratitude of his self-esteem to the country's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina!

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Kamal Hossain told Barta24.com, "I never imagined that I would have my own place, my own house." Today I am happy with my wife and children as a gift given by the Prime Minister! I will be grateful to the Prime Minister for the rest of my life! I pray to Allah, may He keep our Prime Minister well, keep him healthy!

On Monday (June 10), one of the beneficiaries of this Asrayan, Razzak Joardar, told Barta24.com, "There is no land of my own!" I used to live in people's place! I would work in exchange still had to listen to many harsh words. But after getting this house, I am happy with the boys and girls. Now ferries to sell bones! Sell nuts! He is having a good time with his wife and five children.

Rahima Begum, another resident of the same project, said, 'Husband Nurul Kabir used to have a lot of trouble renting the house with the income he earned. Somehow, despite being able to eat with difficulty, there was no income. I could not even educate my children. Life was going very hard!

But now times have changed for Rahima Begum. Apart from the education of his sons and daughters, he is also saving money keeping in mind the future. All this is possible by getting the gift house given by the Prime Minister.

Rahima Begum said, 'Now I don't have to pay house rent anymore. Have your own house! With what my husband earns, I am also saving some money for my children's education!

Gultaj Begum used to live in a rented house in Ukhia Sikdar's Bill Barabazar with her Jhalmuri seller husband. Having received a house as a gift from the Prime Minister, she has now come to the house of this Asrayan project. Her eldest son Rabiul Hasan (12) studies in class VI. Daughter Jannatul Bakea (8) studies in class two and Mohammad Hasan is three years old.

Gultaj Begum said, 'I never thought that I would build a house myself. At that time it was difficult to live and eat! How to do home! Now the son is studying; goes to school Earnings have increased since before. After learning education, boys and girls will grow up, that's the dream now!

Prime Minister's Asharyan scheme is giving dreams to the homeless

About 266 thousand 12 other landless people like Kamal, Joardar, Rahima and Gultaj Begum have been built houses with land on the occasion of Mujib centenary. Out of this, 4 thousand 925 houses have been constructed in 9 upazilas of Cox's Bazar district, in the last phase of which the government is going to declare the district as a 'homeless-free district' by handing over 261 houses.

Not only the land and house, but also their overall development has been looked at by the government. As part of that, the government is providing loans for men at low interest and easy terms. Training is also being arranged. Training for various types of jobs including electronics, car driving, mobile phone servicing is being provided free of cost.

Also, women are being taught different types of income-generating work including poultry farming, farming, sewing, and boutique work.

Tanveer Hossain, UNO of Ukhia, told Barta24.com that small entrepreneurship is being developed by giving deep tube wells, provision of going to school, self-employment, mobile phone servicing, agriculture, animal husbandry training and loans for the residents here. We have also formed 'Bangabandhu Cooperative Society' here. Through this we are making the beneficiaries here self-reliant.

Tanveer Hossain also said that there is a plan to build a Sheikh Russell stadium next to it for children's sports. Swings are provided. Clubs are organized for training and workshops. Stairs are provided for sitting. A budget has also been budgeted for construction of mosques and temples.

The neighborhood life is changing

Not only had those who got houses and land but also has the life of people around it changed through this project. Due to the shelter of so many families here, the permanent residents of the neighborhood are also benefiting through various shops and exchange of goods.

One such Mehera Khatun. This middle-aged woman has never done anything outside of housework. However, since this shelter project is next to his house, he gave a grocery store. Besides housework, he is also earning extra income by sitting in the shop. The family has financial stability.

Mehera Khatun said, I used to do housework. Now after the completion of this project, I have given the shop. Good income from this shop. We have benefited because of this project. I can shop! is sold. It's been good for everyone!

Mehera Khatun's husband Syed Alam is a day laborer. This couple has four daughters, one son. The boy is studying in class V. Now drives a rental car. Eldest daughter Tanisa Akter also studies in class V. Come from school and sit in mother's shop. Now she has a big dream in her eyes! Dream to be a doctor!

Tanisa said, 'I will become a doctor when I grow up. Become a doctor and serve people, I want to go there where no people had gone before. I'm fine now. The shop opens at 7 o'clock. It is open until 10 pm!