Winter arrives in nature right after the autumn, with the northern chilly wind blowing brutally accompanied with thick fog that prevents sunrays from reaching us. Sometimes the fogs are so dense that the grasses are drenched with it. At this time, the hustle and bustle of making pitha-puli with date molasses comes as a real treat. However, for some, winter is very difficult, like a new struggle for survival. When winter comes, floating and hard-working people of the capital city suffer the most. Thousands of homeless floating people spend sleepless nights. They lie on the roadside, on the sidewalk, in bus and railway stations, under the open sky. They wrap themselves in jute sacks and torn clothes, curling up in their inadequate coverings. In winter, work opportunities decrease. So, they struggle for adequate food. The pangs of hunger make them even weaker. At this time, common cold, coughs, pneumonia and a host of other cold diseases break out. Living in a hostile environment in winter they are not only victims of these diseases but their mental health is also affected. For the floating people, the winter season is a curse.
Wealthy and well-to-do people of society should collect sufficient winter clothes and distribute them among the uprooted people. There is a need for arranging food, blankets and warm clothes for them. Various social and cultural organisations have already come ahead. More needs to be done such as organising free health camps to prevent cold-related diseases. Extending a helping hand to homeless people is a humanitarian act. It is also our social responsibility. We can alleviate their suffering by standing by them. The government also needs to pay attention to their needs.
Nusrat Jahan Arpita
Student,
Department of Mass Communication and Journalism
Jagannath University, Dhaka
arpitanusrat7@gmail.com