The boat-life of Golapi Begum, an elderly woman who has been living in a boat for over a decade, is going to end as she now has a roof over her head.
The nearly 80-year old woman, a resident of East Damudya Union under Damudya upazila in Shariatpur, has received a house from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina under the Ashrayan-2 project.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Damudya Alamgir Hussain handed over the key and document of the house as well as the PM’s gift on the boat at the Jayanti River on Sunday.
The UNO said, “We did not have much information about the distressed life of Golapi Begum. After the news of her misery was published in newspapers, we came to know the struggle she was having. We immediately arranged an old age allowance card and financial aid for her and handed those over to her. After getting direction from Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Shariatpur Md Parvez Hasan, we went to her and handed over the document of the house. As some renovation work is still ongoing, she can move into the house in next two or three days.”
News item on Golapi’s misery was published in many newspapers in April 10. Later, authorities concerned paid heed to the woman.
It was known that Nuru Mia, son of Golapi Begum left his house with his mother about 12 years ago after following family dispute. Since then, he and his mother have living in a small fishing boat. Being a fisherman, he manages his and Golapi Begum’s lives by catching fishes in the river. From past 12 years, he went to many people for the solution of the dispute, but failed to manage so. Thus, the small boat is the only place for more than a decade where he and his mother can have a roof over their heads.
Nuru Mia mentioned that he knocked many doors to arrange an old age allowance card for his mother. After the news of her mother was published, her mother got goverenmtn aid. He, however, said although he and his mother live in the boat, they are voters of East Damudya Union.
Golapi Begum has finally taken a breath of relief after receiving the house keys. She said, “Concerned journalists after hearing my story, published my news in newspapers. Knowing my story, upazila authorities managed old age allowance card. UNO also gave me some money and assured me to get me a house. Now I finally can say I have a house of my own. “
Thanking Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and journalists, she said that this project of the Prime Minister will help numerus distressed people like her.
Nuru Mia said that thanks to the journalists, his mother finally received a house. As a son, seeing her mother finally has a decent home to live is the biggest joy if his life.
Deputy Commissioner Md Parvez Hasan said that authorities tried to manage a house after asking the preference of Golapi Begum. She insisted to live in Darus Salam Union, authorities managed her a home there.
‘I feel great to finally give her a decent home to live. This Ashrayan-2 project which was directly supervised by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is very helpful to numerus families like Golapi Begum. All of these could be happened for the journalists who worked hard to bring stories like Golapi Begum’s. District administration authorities thanks the journalists for their integrity and sincere efforts.
