Newspaper hawkers get umbrellas, waterproof bags in Gopalganj

Bashundhara Shuvosangho provided newspaper hawkers with umbrellas and large waterproof polythene bags at Gopalganj town on Monday, to help them protect themselves during the monsoon and safely deliver newspapers to customers.

Shuvosangho Gopalganj district branch organised the distribution event in front of the Gopalganj Press Club.

The organisers said the number of readers of printed newspapers has been declining day by day due to the expansion of technology and the growing popularity of online news media. This has affected the livelihoods of newspaper vendors. Along with declining incomes, their sufferings increase further during the monsoon. Considering their difficulties, the necessary items were handed over to them.

The newspaper vendors expressed their delight after receiving the umbrellas and waterproof bags. One of them, Manitosh Bala, said he had been selling newspapers for around 23 years. His family depends on the income from this profession. He faces various difficulties delivering newspapers during the monsoon. Sometimes it takes him the entire day to deliver newspapers to customers' homes. The umbrella and bag provided by Bashundhara Shuvosangho will make his work much easier, he said.

Another vendor, Mishal Khan, said his home is some distance from the town. During the monsoon, rain and transportation problems make it difficult for him to reach the town on time. As a result, newspaper distribution is also delayed. He said that having a new umbrella and waterproof bag would allow him to work confidently even in the rain.

Sujon Das, president of the Gopalganj district branch of Bashundhara Shuvosangho, said, "Bashundhara Shuvosangho always tries to stand by people from different walks of life."

Also present at the event were the Gopalganj district branch Vice Presidents Mohammad Al Imran Sumon and Mimi Bala, General Secretary Turjo Rahman, Joint General Secretaries Rajib Molla and Ashraful Alam Nazim, and Organising Secretary Ayon Saha, among others.