Struggle stories end in triumphs

RAJSHAHI, Aug 06: Zillur Rahman, elder son of poor rickshaw-puller Akhtar Ali of Chuniapara village in Joynagar union of Durgapur upazila of Rajshahi district, has been qualified for education cadre in the 41st Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) exams.
Besides, Ratnarani Mondal, daughter of Santosh Chandra Mondal, a herder of Gunajipara village in Panagar union of the same upazila, has been selected for the veterinary surgeon cadre in the 41st BCS exam.
Zillur Rahman is the eldest of the two children of rickshaw-puller Akhtar Ali. He completed his graduation and post-graduation from Rajshahi University's (RU) Department of Management Studies.
His younger sister Julekha Khatun is studying Masters in Economics at Rajshahi College.
Father Akhtar Ali managed to educate his son and daughter by pulling rickshaw.
Akhtar Ali said, "I used to work as a day labourer in the beginning to support the educational expenses of my two children.
"My eldest child Zillur Rahman passed the HSC exams from Hatkanpara Degree College and joined coaching in the city for university admission. We also went to Rajshahi city and started residing at a rented house. Talented Zillur got admission to Rajshahi University,"Akhtar Ali added.
He also said Zillur joined Durgapur Upazila Sridharpur Government Primary School in January, 2023 when he was appointed as an assistant teacher of Government Primary School.
Zillur said, "It is my pride that my father made me a BCS cadre by driving a rickshaw. In the future I also want to stand by the poor".
On the other hand, herder Santosh Chandra Mandal's elder daughter Ratnarani Mondal has been selected for the Veterinary Surgeon cadre in the 41st BCS examination.
She completed her studies from the Department of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry of Mymensingh Agricultural University. Her younger sister Rakhirani Mondal has just completed her graduation and post-graduation from the Department of Genetics of Rajshahi University.
Bidhan Sarkar, a neighbour and member secretary of Upazila Freedom Fighters Command, said Santosh Chandra Mandal has sold almost all of the two and a half bighas of land left by his father to bear the educational expenses of his two daughters.
At present, he has nothing but three cows. He took care of cows as a shepherd himself.
Ratnarani Mondal joined Golabari Government Primary School in Durgapur upazila as an assistant teacher in January, 2023 . While working in the school, she appeared at the 41st BCS examination and was finally selected.
Santosh Chandra, father of Ratnarani Mandal, said, "Though I am a shepherd by profession, today I am the most successful father in the world."

anaetru@gmail.com