Dreamy Days of My Life

Written by Sherin Sultana

To me the excellent days of a human life is the University life and the most favorite moment is when he passes time with his friends by gossiping. In the school & college life we pass the restrictive life from our family and get the pressure of home work from our teachers. We oblige to study against our mind. So in that time we never meet with the pleasure.

From left, Me with my friends

But the strange thing is from the first day of our University life, a fantastic feeling fill our mind and this thought make me happy. I invent myself once again to know about the unknown world as if it brings out me from the restrict boundary and set me as a matured human being into the whole world.

In the University life as we have so many opportunities to study in the same way. There we have all the arrangement to enjoy our lives. If I say about joy at first I must have to say about my friends. With the friends we can go to new places, eat together in any where, watch movies or go for a picnic. Friendship is only the main source to enjoy the all pleasures. It is a different life from our real lives. Various colorful dreams are always filled in our dreamy minds. In this way the days one after another fly away with the wings of butterfly.

My dreamy life will end very soon. I will miss my University life very much. That’s why if our classes declared close in any reason then I get upset.

I always try to make longer the feelings of the most beautiful days of my life in my mind. I can’t think about that day when I will have to leave the campus of my University. My eyes fill with tears when I think about that. It is so strange that after leaving the campus we can’t meet with the ever known faces. Some time may be we will contact on phone or meet anywhere.

In this way a dreamy chapter of my life will turn into end. And the Dream is always dreamy --!

Ruby Rahman- A Successful Business Woman

Written by M.G. Rabbany
Pictures & Video by Taslima Akter

Ruby Rahman (36) runs a handicrafts business. After the death of her husband she is running her business seriously. Now she has rented two roomed float at Malibagh chowdhurypara for their accommodation and factory. She appointed four young girls as her factory workers. She collected them from their village. She gives them training on handicrafts. She also provides them food, clothes and accommodation facilities at her own house e factory. These girls also can earn some money and they can send to their village. Their income depends on their production. Ruby Rahman and one of her sister in low named Poly (who also a student of Nari Jibon) jointly runs their business. They make mainly bags and show pieces by the clothes/threads and skin. At the beginning time she and her sister in low used to make bags for their known persons and that was very little. But after the death of her husband she expanded her business. Now they are supplying their production to the famous shops and markets in Dhaka city. Their latest production is mobile phone bag which have very demand in the market. Recently they are supplying their production in the Baily Road’s shops which are luxurious shops in Dhaka city. Ruby Rahman informed that they can earn average Tk. 12000 every month excluding expenditures. Ruby Rahman and Poly don’t spend their profits as they are increasing their cash. They have planned that in future they will rent or buy a large showroom in the busy market area.

From left, Firoza Begum Poly and Ruby Rahman at their workplace with their production

Ruby Rahman is painting

Ruby rahman lost her husband last year (2006). Her husband was a govt. service holder and then she worked mere a housewife. She gave birth to a daughter (16) and a son (12). Her daughter got married when her daughter was reading in class-9 and then she was only about 12/13 years old. Ruby Rahman learned handicrafts skills from Jatiya Mohila Sangasta with her sister in law. Then she had no plan but she used to make bags with her sister in law for their relatives, neighboring women and some known persons. In the meantime she took admission at Nari Jibon where her sister in law was taking skills on Computer, English and Business management. She took admission to take skills on English and Business Management courses. Ruby Rahman studied up to class-10. Lack of practice she was very weak in English. She learned English about five months regularly and besides she participated in Business management classes. She was taking these two courses same time. At the end of these two courses her husband had died and then she could not continue study. But she informed that she learned many things from Nari Jibon office and mainly she was motivated to run her business. She learned how to develop business, keeping documentation, justifying customer’s demands, supply, market analysis etc. Almost same time she used to sell her products among the students of Nari Jibon. At the beginning she started her business as her hobby. But at the departure of her husband she felt necessary to earn money. Now she and her sister in law are working hard for marketing their goods. Now they are maintaining their family smoothly and they are satisfied with their business income.

This video has taken from their working place and house.

Bangladesh is full filled with many Natural Beauties

Written by Nurunnahar Islam Munni
Pictures taken by Mohtarimun Nahar [Bipa]

Bangladesh is full-filled with many natural beauties. She is very beautiful in every where. The vast Bay of Bengal is situated in the South of Bangladesh. The Meghna river is situated in the East. Green trees, birds chirping, yellow corn crops etc make our mind fulfill. Green trees fill up our eyes and birds chirping fill up our ears and mind.

Every day we wake up by hearing birds’ chipping. The natural scenery of village draws a general picture of thrilling. A little Jonaki Poka [one kind of insect that has natural lights in her body] helps us to see our way in the bamboo garden in the dark night. Our eyes are charmed to see many natural beauties all around us. When we go near to the Padma, Meghna, Jamuna, Cornofuly rivers then our mind become fresh and we forget all of our sorrows. The water lily blooms in the canal. White Lily is our national flower.

The local area of the East is decorated by tea gardens. A large number of green parrots come to these tea gardens and that makes the scenery more beautiful. Specially the guest birds make the scenery more beautiful. The Seasons get changing after every two months. During the summer season the whole nature remains ‘kha kha (Heated badly by sun light). The village people suffer a lot in summer season. During this time the thousand of juicy fruits are found in our country. People can fill their mind by eating different kinds of juicy fruits. Like;-Mango, Jack-fruit, pine-apple etc. After the summer season the rainy season comes. In the rainy day, some girls wear blue sharees and they remember their favorite person. In the rainy day the village farmers get together to gossip. The girls sew Nokshi Kantha (traditional blanket) on their own mind. They draw their hidden dream in this Kantha. All village old men and women pass their time by gossiping. After the rainy season, the autumn comes with a fine and clear sky and the sheuli flowers. All time the white clouds remain in the sky in this season.

In the late autumn the villagers get rashi rashi [a plenty of] golden paddy in their houses.

The villagers arrange a party for getting new crops. This party called as ‘Nobanno Utshob’(Festival of foods made by new paddy). In this party the villagers welcome their neighbors and guests by chira, murri and many kinds of pittha (home made cakes). In this way they celebrate their ‘Nobbano Utshob’. After this season the winter comes with the dew drops and trees without leaves, various kinds of pittha (home made cakes) and date juice etc. when the dew fall on the grass and the morning sun light shines on it; it looks like diamonds. The spring comes with cuckoo’s singing. Many flowers bloom in this season. I think all people like the spring season. It is called the king of the seasons. In every season Bangladesh is been decorated by different natural beauties. To me Bangladesh is the most beautiful country in the world. I love my country very much.

Two Students of Nari Jibon have Started a Business

Written and Pictures taken by M.G. Rabbany (Sujan)

Ten to fifteen years ago it was a rare case to see the women as businesswomen in the market of Dhaka city. Day by day we can see many changes in our society. G.O, N.G.O and women education make the women aware and involve them in various activities/ sectors. At present women don’t work only in their house or office now they work out of their houses too. Now women are running their business in the market, on the busy roadside and through the crowded area. Now they don’t work only under the veil, now they work like a male person. Previous days we only found some saleswomen in the shops of brand companies or their husband’s shop. But now we can see some women are running their business independently (though it is poor number in up to date). Like this two young Nari Jibon students have started a business shop at Khilgoan Chowrasta Moshjid Market.

Sultana Begum and Jannatul Ferdouse are classmates of Khilgoan Model College and Nari Jibon Project. They are also intimate friend. They both are reading in class-14 at Khilgoan Model College. Sultana took knowledge from Nari Jibon on English, Computer Ms Office Program and Hardware. Sultana also completed courses on Business Planning & Management from Nari Jibon. Jannatul Ferdouse took course on English. They are almost same aged (21-22).

Last August, 07 they have started a business jointly. They have rented a shop at Khilgoan Chowrasta which is situated near their college. They have decorated their shop very nicely. They have invested total at taka 1, 42,000/- for their business. They have to pay at taka 2000 per month as the shop rent. They sell various kinds of things for women, men and kids. Modern dresses, show pieces, hand make bags and other handicrafts etc are found in this shop.

Sultana Akter (Right) and Jannatul Ferdouse (left) are in their shop.

These bags are made at their home and now these are sold in this shop.

These bags are collected from the students’ (Poly and Ruby Rahman) of Nari Jibon
and these are sold in this shop.

Their shop is situated near their college and so good numbers of customers are their classmates and friends. Various kinds of cosmetics, show pieces, gift items and bags are found in their shop. They are also selling EID Panjabi as an EID special item.

The name of their shop is “Rongin Tara Fashion and Boutique”.
It means Color of Stars Fashion and Boutique.

Rahela Akhter Lima’s third death anniversary: has this brave young woman received justice?

On September 24, 2004, Rahela Akhter Lima’s suffering ended after nearly a month of unimaginable pain after her assailants left her for dead and then came back to torture her some more. She was a strong-willed garment worker-housewife aged only 20 years from Savar. Today marks her third death anniversary.

Has Rahela received any justice after three years by the arrests, convictions, and exemplary punishment of her assailants? Has her death and suffering made women safer in Bangladesh? Or like many other sensational cases, has Rahela been forgotten except by her near and dear ones after the initial stories and demonstrations in August and September 2004? Are her assailants still roaming freely around the streets of Savar, Jahangirnargar University, and Dhaka?

During that long month, she survived long enough to bravely name two assailants, Linton and Delwar—former college classmates--and two other miscreants—Akash and Kabir-- who took her belongings, raped her, slit her tendons and cut into her spinal cord, and left her in a Jahangirnagar University garden on 22 August. They returned on 24 August and found her still alive; they added further insult to her injuries by pouring acid on her! After three days and two nights of suffering, a gardener found her and police took her to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where she struggled against infected wounds, severed spinal cord, and paralysis until she died on 24 September.

As often occurs, despite her mother Rokeya filing a case with Savar thana, the accused men absconded, and Liton reportedly disappeared into India. Police arrested only his brother who had helped him escape. During September, many women’s and labor organizations in Savar and other locations protested violence against women, recent rapes of garment women workers, and in particular, the gruesome treatment of Rahela and that her attackers continued to roam freely (Mahila Parishad, Karmajibi Nari, Ain-O-Shalish Kendra, Samajtantrik Mahila Forum, Bangladesh Jatiya Sramik Jote, Nari Sramik Jote, Sammilita Nari Samaj, Bangladesh Legal Services Trust, and National Garment Workers Federation among others. After a 25 Sept 04 Daily Star article, no further articles appeared on her case or reported any progress on apprehending Liton and others. Rahela’s case seemingly disappeared among the articles on the September and October floods and monsoon rains as have many other cases of violence against women since then.

Given the ongoing violence against women, these organizations moved on to protest other cases and lax law enforcement. Speakers and researchers from the One-Stop Crisis Centre reported that garment workers and students are particularly vulnerable to such assaults, sexual harassment, and eve-teasings as they move about from home and work. Ironically, these women are the future and earners of Bangladesh, but still face the dangers of the streets going to and from work and school.

Despite the monthly litany of newspaper reports and clippings on violence against women in Bangladesh by various women’s and advocacy groups, who is conducting any follow up or monitoring these cases? Who is monitoring the police, prosecutors, and justice for the victims and punishment for the eve-teasers (whose actions have led to suicides among their targets), domestic abusers, rapists, and murderers? Will Rahela and any of her forgotten departed sisters ever receive justice?

Today and other years, I remember her courage to name her assailants, her strong will to live despite her injuries, and extraordinary struggle and sacrifice as I work to end violence against women, children, and men. I hope that her soul has found some peace.

Note: By Dr. Kathryn B. Ward, Professor of Sociology-Women's Studies, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, IL USA. This piece has been based on English newspaper clippings from August and September that I collected while in the USA waiting to go to Bangladesh for my Senior Fulbright Fellowship and to conduct research on women workers and violence against women. (clippings from New Age, Daily Star, New Nation, among others—available on request). Rahela’s story touched me very much. When I left USA on 22 September 2004 Rahela was barely alive. She died some time during my journey to Bangladesh.

also crossposted on bideshi blue

Bloggers profile (Students)

Shahana Akter

"My name is Shahana Akter Munia. I live in Dhaka City with my family. I am a student of B.A [Bachalor of Arts]. Beside this I am an English and Computer student of Nari Jibon Project. I am very glad to take training from this project in a safe environment. I have many friends. I like to gossip with my friends. Reading detective book is my hobby. I like to see Bengali movie. Some of my favorite Bengali movies are: SHUVA, JOY JATRA. I also like to hear music of Bengali Band. I am very happy to involve here in Nari Jibon Blog. I want to write about our country and myself. I am very happy to get this great opportunity from Nari Jibon."


Tahmina Akter










"My name is Tahmina Akter. I was born at Dhaka in Bangladesh. I am Bangladeshi. My religion is Islam. I have completed my secondary school certificate (S.S.C) in 2006 and now I am a student of H.S.C [Higher Secondary Certificate] second year in business study group in Khilgoan Model University College.

I am taking courses on English and Computer from Nari Jibon. I heard about Narijibon from my friend Ayesha Akter. I admitted here in English-2 and computer class. I am really happy to admit here. Because I think I have improved my skills in English and got knowledge on computer. I wish that I will be able to do something in future. It’s a new experience for me. I am just trying to write. I didn’t know about Blog before. Now I am writing for Blog. I am very happy to be a part of this Blog Project of Nari Jibon. We can share our culture to other countries through Blog. Narijibon is really a good organization for women. I like watching TV and reading story books."

Hilsha Fish is our National Fish

Written & Pictures taken by M. G. Rabbany

Hilsha fish is national fish of Bangladesh. People in our country like this fish very much. It is very delicious and nutritious. There is a proverb that ‘Vat-e Mas-e Bangali’ (Bangladeshis are fond of rice and fish). Pohela Boishakh (1st Day of Bengali Year) is celebrated by eating fried Hilsha fish with Panta Rice. New or rich guests are entertained by the Hilsha fish. We get sufficient protein from Hilsha fish. Our national economy is being developed by exporting Hilsha Fish. Not only have these, Hilsha fishes also contribute 1% in our GDP. In the world about 60% Hilsha fishes are found in Bangladesh.

Photo from Khilgoan Taltola Super Market

Hilsha fish is migratory kind of fishes. Hilsha fishes come from the channel (mouth) of rivers from the sea due to spawn in the Bangladesh. After laying eggs they returned to the sea. From six to seven months these young Hilsha fishes stay in the rivers or channels and then they go to the sea being maturity. Hilsha fishes are found almost all the big rivers in Bangladesh. Mainly Hilsha fishes are found in the Padma, Meghna, Jomuna, Brohmoputra and low land area of Southern part of Bangladesh. In the rainy season Hilsha fishes are found more in the Padma, Meghna and Jomuna.

In the decade of 90th, Hilsha fish productions were decreasing due to several reasons, like as: effecting of the Farakka Dam, making dams for irrigation or controlling flood, water pollution, catching young Hilsha fish etc.

As it is a national fish the Government of Bangladesh tries to protect this Hilsha fish by taking some steps. Such as: in 2003-04 Govt. declared to stop catching young Hilsha fish and mother of Hilsha fish. Rallies, seminars, distributing flyers were arranged by the Govt. due to increase awareness. Fishermen and businessmen were organized to protect this silver wealth of Bangladesh.

The Natural gift and the mercy of God, these Hilsha fishes are very dear to the people of Bangladesh and India. Day by day its demand is increasing to the people of Bangladesh and India. On last June- July of 2007, a problem occurred between India & Bangladesh for the Hilsha fish. Due to high demand of Hilsha fish in India, the businessmen and the fishermen of Bangladesh exported most of the Hilsha fish to India and as a result the people of Bangladesh was bereft of Hilsha fish. At that time Hilsha fishes were valuable and difficult to obtain in Bangladesh. People and Newspaper of Bangladesh started to publish the real situation of Hilsha fish and then on 4th July of 2007, the present Care- Taker Govt. stopped to export Hilsha fish to our neighbor country India for six months. Though govt. could not stop the whole dishonest businessmen who send Hilsha fishes to the India in unlawful way; day by day Hilsha fish became available in Bangladesh.

Conversely, people of India also pressured to the local Govt. of India to solve this problem as they also like Bangladeshi’s famous Hilsha fish!!!!

He is selling Hilsha fish in the Khilgoan Taltola kitchen market

Rickshaw Puller of Bangladesh

Written By Ruma Akter
Student of English section

The man who pulls rickshaw for money is a rickshaw puller. Rickshaw pullers are familiar in cities and town in Bangladesh. They live in slum. Their income is very poor. They earn money but that is too little to live properly. They don’t have their own rickshaws. They work hard all-time. In any weathers they are to carry passengers. Sometimes they need to bargain with their passengers. They demand more when the weather remains very hot. Some times they try to cheat passengers. But most of the time they are cheated by passengers on rent. Rickshaw pullers are seen sleeping beneath a tree or take rest on their rickshaw. They drive rickshaw from morning to till late night. They lead a very simple and miserable life. Their lives are full of sorrows and sufferings. They can’t enjoy any occasions. They don’t have any peace and happiness. If they become sick they don’t have much money to get treatment. For being sickness sometimes they can’t drive rickshaw and on that day they can’t earn money. Then they and their families starve. If they can earn more than their expectation their face become smiley. But this opportunity comes to their life for a while. We should respect them. Cause they take us at our destination area.

A Child beggar

Written & Picture taken by Amita Roy

She is a street child beggar. She doesn’t get enough food from her family to fulfill her stomach. So she searches food from door to door. Her parents are not able to give food as much as her need. So she thinks it is better for her to beg. When her family members go to work outside then she starts begging.

In the rich family we can see that their children are not interested to take much food. Some time they spoil food when they have no interest to have them.

The street children cannot get food properly. But one thing, to serve their lives they roam in different places and therefore they get a little food. At the beginning of their lives they see the cruel picture of the world. Some people say that the beggars are shameless but they do not feel how it is tough to beg daily. Actually the little street children struggle to live being a citizen. We should save them from begging occupation.

Bloggers profile (Students)

Sherin Sultana

'In my small village there are many small houses,

We all live together.
There is no distinction among us'

"This imagine of a small village is Habibpur. It is in Barisal at Wazirpur Thana where I was born. Here I passed various types of colorful days of my childhood & teenage period. I am the oldest of two sisters & one brother in a middle class family. The starting of my life was different & for that I obtained the primary stage of learning from my grand mother. I passed S.S.C (Secondary School Certificate) in 1999 & H.S.C (Higher Secondary Certificate) in 2001 from my village.

The second stage of my life has started in Dhaka, although I need some time to adjust here out of my traditional life. I admitted in the University of Dhaka. Thousands of new faces became very close in the place of my previous friends. By this time I have already completed graduation & now I am in Masters.

I heard about Nari Jibon from my aunt for one year. Once I came here to visit. I want to know about its activities, target & aim. After knowing everything I felt very interest about it. It seems to me that it’s a great opportunity for me. Without making any delay I admitted here within some days. I joined here in ICT magazine of Nari Jibon. I want to make establish myself & that’s why I related my life with Nari Jibon.

If I am to say about myself then at first I will say--my favorite person is my mother; favorite color is sky-blue; favorite flower is krishnachura. I like to walk alone in a moon lit night by the side of the river & ride on a rickshaw with my favorite person. I like most to hear songs & read novels in my leisure period. I like to think myself as a good human being. I feel a great sorrow when I see the sorrow of others. I hate to tell lie. My bad side is- I am very lazy, not serious about myself & my good side is- I don’t get angry with anybody. I always miss the days of my child hood & the green narrow path of my village."

Shamima Akter Rita

"My name is Shamima Akter Rita. My friends and family members called me ‘Rita’. It is my nickname. I am 19 years old. I was born at Narshingdi in Bangladesh. But my childhood passed at Dhaka city. Now I live in Dhaka. I am a Bangladeshi. Islam is my religion. I am a student. I have completed my Secondary School Certificate (S.S.C) in 2001 at Khilgaon Model School & Higher Secondary Certificate (H.S.C) in 2003 at Motijeel Model College under Dhaka Board. Now I study in B.B.S. (Hons) 1St year at Khilgaon Model College. Accounting is my subject. Now I am doing courses on English, Computer office program & Hardware from Nari Jibon Project. Nari jibon project is a good organization to me. It is working only for women. So it’s a great opportunity for me. I am really happy to admit here. I have improved my skills in English and got knowledge on computer. Now the knowledge on English & computer are needed for getting good jobs. As a student of Accounting Department I want to be a Bank Manager. So it’s very important for me. Now I am also happy to be a part of blog Project. I didn’t know about blog project. It’s a new & good experience for me. Now I am trying to write in English. I can give some information about Bangladesh to other country through narijibon blog spot. My favorite poet is Kazi Nazrul Islum. My favorite hobby is Painting and Gardening. I like watching TV. Nari Jibon gives alternative skills for women. This Nari Jibon Institute works for women awareness. So I wish all the success of the Nari Jibon Project."

The Mango: The King of Fruits

Written by Shahana Akter Munia

The mango is the best of all fruits in Bangladesh to me. Mango is the "National Fruit" of India. It is very delicious. It has sweet flavor. It is called the king of fruits. The mango is a summer fruit. It grows in warm climate. So it is found in plenty in the countries of South-East-Asia. Mangoes are found almost everywhere in Bangladesh. But the mangoes of Rajshahi area are the best .They are very tasteful and very remarkable for their sweetness and flavor. In that part of the country the weather and soil are suitable for the growth of mango trees.
There are many varieties of mangoes. They are Langra, Fazli, Gopalbhog, Mohanbhog etc. They are famous for flavor, taste and sweetness. All sorts of people --- young or old, male or female like it. It can be eaten even when it is green. I think the mango is the best fruit from all fruits. I like the Mango very much.

Nirupoma, a successful business woman, Who passed long days in unlawful and dark life? - 3

Interview taken by: M.G. Rabbany & Mohtarmun Bipa

After previous >>

NIrupoma used to train other sex workers in the hotel. Her main duty was in the hotels where she also had to stay for running her sex trade. She worked in this project more than two years. This time she became aware of hiv/aids/stds. She became introduced with many sex workers, clients and hotels owners in Dhaka city.

From the beginning time she thought that she would not run her profession whole life and so she would have to save some more money to drive her life in another profession. She also says that sex workers can not save money due to many reasons. Most of the time sex workers are cheated by the lovers or acting husbands or cheater relatives. They are also harassed by the hotel staffs, local muscle men, police etc. At the same time, hotel based sex workers receive less money from the clients. Though hotel owners receive more than 300 taka from each client per program but sex workers receive only 70 taka 80 taka from per client per program.

In 2004, she visited several times the Sathi (now Nari Jibon) office where they (sex workers) often discussed alternative skills and where they were motivated to change their profession. She was also thinking to change her profession. Actually she motivated to change her life from there. Her friend and later her husband helped her to change her life.

Nirupoma got married in the middle of 2003 with Sajjad who gave her shelter and residence facilities. From the beginning time his guardians were aware about her. He often lived with her. Day by day he became weak to her. At last he got married her. Now they live are living together renting a flat. Nirupoma arranged marriage ceremony at her native village. Sometime she visits her village with her husband. Last year Nirupoma gave birth to a female child and now (August, 07) it is 18 months old. Her husband is a businessman and he is running a (TV, Fridge) sales centre in Dhaka. Her husband helped her to set up her beauty parlor & training centre. Her husband did not take her cash ever and he did not harass her ever. After getting married, Nirupoma has given up her sex working profession.

As a woman businessman and an ex-sex worker sometimes she faces problem but she can overcome everything easily. As an example, one of her neighboring shopkeeper complained to her shop owner that she was a sex worker and requested to expel her. But shop owner said to him that he knew that she was sex worker in her past life, but now she is doing only business and her dealing is also better than him. After that her neighboring shopkeeper did not say anything about her. Some beauty parlor owners also tried to chase away her but now most of them have quitted trying to chase away her. At present usually she does not face any problem though many persons know her as a sex worker but now many persons know that she has quitted her previous profession. Rest of her life she wants to pass out of sex working life. She thinks that her past life was in the dark and now she is in light.

End

Nirupoma, a successful business woman, Who passed long days in unlawful and dark life? -2

Interview taken by: M.G. Rabbany & Mohtarmun Bipa

After previous >>

Nirupoma is very beautiful to look at. Her tall & slim figure, nice appearance and well dress up made her like a heroine. As a Bengali nari (girl) she is attractive to everyone (male person). Stopping her study gave more opportunity to move. Then she fell in love with a young man who was born in a rich family. Nirupoma and her love knew that their guardians would not agree with their marriage as he was unemployed and Nirupoma’s elder sister was also unmarried. He was then a college student reading in class-14. Then they took decision that they would flee away their house and they would get married. According to their decision they both left their house and he took her to a relative’s house at Comilla. They got married (religious rule) at his relative’s house, but his relative did not allow them to live at their house more days. Then her husband took her to Dhaka and he rented a room in a residential hotel. They both had some money but within few days they spent all of their money. One day he fled away leaving her in that hotel, in Malibagh Chowdhurypara area. Nirupoma faced problem as she was alone in the hotel and she had no money. She waited two days for her husband but he did not return to her. At last hotel authority gave her some money to go to her village.

After two days she went to her village and she told her parents everything. Then she also went to her husband’s house but her husband was not in the house as he hid some where, and she tried to stay at her husband’s house but other members of her law’s family misbehaved with her. Besides, her guardians also called some of their local honorable persons to solve their problem. But her husband’s family was rich and more powerful than her family. Her husband’s guardians demanded 3 to 5 lac taka to get Nirupoma as their son’s wife or they offered some money to leave their son. Their marriage was not registered and they got married only by the religious rules. But Nirupoma knew that her parents were unable to pay such amount of money. Later Nirupoma took TK. 20000 and left her husband’s house. Then Nirupoma went to her parents’ house and observed their guardians pale faces. They were displeased to her and next day Nirupoma left their village and she came to Dhaka. She came directly to that hotel where she lived several days with her husband.

Nirupoma had come to Dhaka at the end of 1998. When she lived in this residential hotel with her husband she observed and heard about sex trade. Second time she came in this hotel to run this trade. She told that she had no alternative way as it was difficult to stay with her birth family. She and her guardians were much insulted by her husband’s family and local persons. She could not tolerate such kind of insults with her guardians and then there were arisen bad rumors at her locality and then some neighboring people did not want to talk with them.

After coming to Dhaka she started sex trades. She did not rent any house to live. She used to live same hotel where she sold sex. After one week she introduced with a young boy who became her permanent client. In a few days he became close with her. Almost everyday he used to come to her. He heard everything from the hotel authority about her and she also told her recent events of her life. The name of that boy was S. and then he was about 28 years old. Nirupoma told him to seek a house for her as she could not sleep properly in the hotel. Then he offered her to live in his house because his family had two houses in Dhaka and most of their family members used to live out of country. Nirupoma lived in one room attached bath and kitchen in the ground floor in a four storied building. She told that he was eldest child of their family and at the beginning time his family members did not know anything about her. He was in charge of that house. As he was a muscle man type she did not face any problem to live that house. Nirupoma also said that at the beginning time he told her not to hope to get him married as it was impossible to him. He would just help her for accommodation. Nirupoma said that she was pleased with him as sex workers’ main problem was accommodation which she had to not face ever. Nobody came to disturb or harass her at her residence.

From then she continued her sex business randomly. Her expectation was after saving three lac taka she would throw all money to her ex-husband and his parents in law’s faces. Nirupoma became pale when she was expressing her previous life. Nirupoma did not have any communication with her parents and relatives for about long two years. Then she communicated with her parents but she did not give them her address. Later she used to visit her village regularly. At the middle of 2000, she joined in a HIV/AIDS prevention project in Dhaka as a peer educator. There she was trained on HIV/AIDs prevention.

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Nirupoma, a successful business woman, Who passed long days in unlawful and dark life? - 1

Interview taken by: M.G. Rabbany & Mohtarmun Bipa

“Akhon ami khub sukhi. amar shami ase, meye ase. Ai prithibite beche thakar jonno ja ja dorker sob ase. Akhon ami jothesta taka aei korite pari sot pothe”
It means “Now I am very happy. Now I have a husband and a nice daughter. I have everything to live in this world peacefully as I can earn sufficient money in right way.” She told these at a stretch. Yes, she can earn sufficient money in the right way.
Nirupoma is able to set up a profitable business centre beside a busy road and near a municipal market in the capital city of Bangladesh. Many girls and women from various areas come to her centre. Now her beauty parlor is popular to the many women and girls in this area.

Nirupoma set up a beauty parlor & training centre in 2006 April in Dhaka. The meaning of her beauty parlor’s name is (the lonely place/ solitary). She has invested Taka 328,000 at a time to set up this parlor shop. She told in details of setting up cost of her business centre. She had to pay advance for parlor place 268000 taka and she had to spend 40,000 taka for decorating the centre and she bought cosmetics and necessary equipments by 15000 taka at a time. She has to pay 5000 taka per month excluding 500 taka electricity and water charge per month. She also appointed 3 assistant of beauticians whom she has to pay 3000 taka to 1000 taka per months excluding free food and accommodation charges. She rented two roomed beauty parlor centre. She also rented a flat including three bed rooms and two bath rooms. She has to pay Tk. 8500 per month as house rent. She collected these assistant beauticians from her home district. She keeps them to her house. She fixed their salary according to their experiences/ performances. She pays 3000 taka one senior persons, 2000 taka one second senior person and 1000 taka another junior person. After recruiting them she also trained up them. Nirupoma told that after starting her beauty parlor she informed among her friends circles and known persons about her business. On the other hand, she set up her parlor such a place that any one can go and find out easily. As she was known to the many people in this area she was able to collect many customers easily. In a few days good will of her business spread out. She also provides good service to everyone. Usually she can earn more than TK 30,000 per month excluding her business related expenditure. Last July, 07 she earned TK 35000 excluding all of her business related expenditure. She also said that almost every month 1 or 2 students take admission to learn the beauty parlor skills and she takes 5000 taka to 8000 taka from per students. But few years (Four years) ago she was passing her life in dark and unlawful way. Then she used to live in fear everyday. Then she was not honored by any person but sometimes she was insulted by many persons. Then she used to try to hide herself and she could not go to her relatives, even to her blooded relatives.

So we asked her about her early life, education, migration and an event of her dark life, history and escaping from that life.

Nirupoma told that she was born in Sonargoan thana under Narayangonj district. She was born in 1976 (approximately). Her father was a farmer and mother was mere a housewife. Her father possessed some cultivable land from where they used to get sufficient crops. Their family was solvent and her father did not face any problem to maintain their family. Nirupoma had one elder sister and younger sister but she had no brother. Her two sisters are already got married and they are now living with their respective families. Her elder sister studied up to class-10 (SSC) and her younger sister studied up to class-12. But Nirupoma studied up to class-9 only. She said that she was not good student and she did not get promotion final examination of class-9. Next year she went few months to her school and then she gave up her study. Her parents wanted to continue her study but she was not interested to go to her school as she was not good student. After giving up her study she started to do homework with her mother and she was fond of visiting market and enjoying cinema with her neighboring girls/friends. She also visited college with some of neighboring girls.

Next posting:
1. Nirupoma’s migration and sympathetic events of her life which through her in dark/ unlawful life?
2. How she escaped from her dark life, her married life and present life/problem to run business as woman and sex worker.

Birth of a child in street

Written by Tarun Falia & Taslima Akter

Dalia Khatun, a girl is 17 years. She passed her childhood with her parents in her village under Mymensingh district. That time she passed her day very well. But she lost her parents when she was 8 years old. They are 8 brothers and sisters. After the death of her parents her sister and brother started to live individually. That time she was alone and had no any person to take care of her. One day one of her neighboring woman proposed to come in Dhaka, doing something for her livelihood.After coming to Dhaka she started to work as a domestic worker and continued it 4 years. Then she was 12 years old. After giving her working as domestic worker she stated to work as labor. She took a little room in a slum and stayed alone there. She was living happily working as day labor and living hand to mouth. Once upon she fell in love with a rickshaw puller. She knew that ricswa puller from her childhood as they were living same area. Last year of June, 06 they got married.

After their marriage she started to live with her husband. After one month of their marriage her husband started to misbehave with her and sometimes he used to beat without any cause. After three months of her marriage she became pregnant. Day by day her husband increased his misbehaving. Dalia wanted to know the causes of her husband’s misbehave with her. One day she followed him and saw that her husband made illegal relation with a garment worker. After observing that day she didn’t ask her husband anything, because she thought that he would be back. Dalia was living as usual. One day her husband didn’t return in their house and she informed that her husband got married with that garments worker and then she was 6 months pregnancy.

She was losing her working energy day by day. When her pregnancy time was 8 month, she became weak and she could not do any work. That time she took shelter in her cousin’s house. Her cousin worked in a garment factory. After living several weeks her cousin’s got married and left her.

Then Dalia was near in delivery period and she was very weak. In the mean time flood submerged many places in Dhaka city and her residence was also under water. She had to fasted as she had no money or income source. She also could not sleep. Then sometimes some of neighboring people helped her providing foods. Day by day the water was increasing and she could not stay at her residence. She had to leave her residence and searched another living place but she failed. In the mean time she felt pain but she could not find out any suitable place. She had no money to take admission in any hospital. At last she took shelter in a car garage of a house.

The house owner saw her in the morning. When he (the house owner) saw her, suffering in delivery pain then he called in wet-nurse. Then Dalia gave birth to a boy in car garage of that house. The house owner and other people of that house helped her providing food, some cloths and treatment. The house owner named her child “Masud”. Now Dalia dreams with her son, Masud. Dalia dreams that Masud will grow up and he will go to school, in future her son will look after her. She also expects her son will protest his father’s improper conduct against his mother.

Dalia with her son - picture by Tarun Falia

Now Dalia is not okay as physically. After recover her health she doesn’t know what she will do and where she will go with her son. Maybe Dalia’s dreams will true or maybe her son will be a street baby like as other street baby.

Tarun Falia has taken a video of Dalia and her son from this garage.