Saiful Islam, a resident of the Adarshapara area in Jhenaidah municipality, once was struggling to earn bread for his family. But he has now become self-reliant after getting a small help from the Deputy Commissioner (DC) SM Rafiqul Islam. 

Saiful and his wife Manwara Khatun now earn their livelihood by selling organic vegetables and local fruits to customers at a reasonable price. They started this business after getting a donation of Tk15,000 from DC Rafiqul Islam which brought a dramatic change in their financial life.

Saiful Islam became destitute after losing the capital in a wholesale business, a few years back and was struggling to feed his three-member family which triggered acute frustration in him. The matter came to the notice of the DC who later donated the money subsequently changing the fate of a distressed family.

Saiful was a courageous young man, who along with his wife immediately started selling vegetables and fruits in front of the office of the Deputy Director of the Department of the Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Jhenaidah town.

He said the DAE deputy director has sanctioned a spot for three vendors on the roadside of his office and issued permission for the business. All his vegetables like basil, spinach, amaranth, pumpkin, cucumber, chilli, onion, garlic etc. and fruits like mango, watermelon, guava, lemon and some other seasonal ones are sold within a few hours in the morning as the people know that Saiful sales the pest and chemical-free food items among the customers, he said.

“I always prefer selling local products so that the people become habituated in consuming the domestic fruits and vegetables against the imported ones for better health and safety”, Saiful Islam said. 

The vendor said “In the old times, I could not send my only son to school fearing expenses, even, I was struggling to ensure his daily meals. Those were hard and dreadful days for me and my family.”

“But now my boy studying in class nine in Jhenaidah Collectorate School and College.”, he said, adding that they are very happy with their business which has been blessed by Jhenaidah DC Rafiqul Islam.

Nazmul Hossain, a pharmaceutical company medical promotion officer (MPO) serving in Jhenaidah, who was buying fruits from Saiful’s shop, said, he always chooses Saiful’s shop as he provides hygienic and safe vegetables and fruits at a reasonable price.

Talking on the matter DC SM Rafiqul Islam said, he just expended his helping hands for humanity so that a helpless young man could lead a normal life and ensure the education of his future generation during his financial crisis.

“Each and every person with confidence, honesty and sincerity can show their courage to become self-reliant in the society without any major investments or capital, Saiful has proved it.”

Besides, the district administration always stands by the people to respond to humanitarian calls, SM Rafiqul Islam said.