The remote people of Damodarpur village under Kaliganj upazila in Jhenidah themselves do not believe that the scenario of their native village was changed dramatically in last 25 to 30 years. Now, the people who paid a visit about 10 to 15 years back to the village cannot identify their once known houses.
About 1,200 expats serving in different countries, especially, in Middle East countries are the key-makers of the present village. Probably the number of the expats is highest in the district who have been selling their labour abroad.
During a visit to the village, this correspondent talked to a number of people including the expats. They said once the agriculture activities dependent village Damodarpur people were passing hard days for want of suitable work. They were passing the days even with single meal in a day as most of the people were selling day’s labourers. The farmers in the village were not so well enough to lead their lives then.
In 2011, the population of the village was 3,996, which increased to about 6,000 now. The number of voters in Damodarpur was 1,462. Elderly Akkas Ali of the village said he was the first man who left country for a job in Libya in 1980. He came back within six months and once again flied to Saudi Arabia in 1982. Staying in Saudi Arabia, he arranged job for a number of villagers including his near and dear ones. Heroic Freedom Fighter Srajul Islam has been playing role in sending a number of villagers abroad for job purposes, he said.
Expat Sultan Ahmed who had served for continuous 34 years, said he went to Malayasia in 1986 and came back last year. Many of his relatives have constructed twin quarters and attractive houses, purchases lands in the village and surrounding areas with foreign remittance. 10 out of his total 11 members were serving abroad at time, he added.
Kola union parishad chairman, also a resident of Damodarpur Ayub Hossain Mollah said during childhood he had witnessed the pitiable condition of the houses in the village where most of the people were poverty-stricken.
The same village now a pride for the nation as over one thousand men and women sending money for the betterment of their respective families, as well as contributing to national economy directly. The once remote village is now no more village as each and every facilities are available at the remote areas where roads and other communications were developed.
Jhenidah district manpower assistant director Saumita Rani Majumder said he was informed about the largest village of expats in Kaliganj upazila. People of the village are lucky enough as they have been managing their families well and doing positive for building a solvent Bangladesh as desired by the Prime Minster Sheikh Hasina, Majumder said.
