Although a Bede (river gypsy) settlement has existed in Rupnagar, in Dhamrai upazila’s Kulla union, for nearly three decades, no district commissioner had ever visited it. For the first time in 30 years, Dhaka District Commissioner Farida Khanam visited the Bede settlement to check on residents’ welfare. She listened to accounts of their daily lives, problems and needs, and pledged various forms of assistance.
The district commissioner visited the Bede settlement in Rupnagar on Thursday, August 20, as part of a series of programs in Dhamrai upazila. She spoke with settlement residents during the visit.
In the district commissioner’s presence, dry food was distributed to 63 families in the settlement. Twelve people were given corrugated tin sheets. Cash assistance of 6,000 taka each was given to everyone, totaling 72,000 taka. Saris and three-piece outfits were distributed to 113 residents, and toys to 200 children.
Although members of the Bede community have lived in the area for a long time, the district administration had never had the opportunity to see their living conditions and problems firsthand. Farida Khanam listened to their concerns during her first visit there, and announced various initiatives to improve the Bede community’s living standards.
During the visit, the district commissioner pledged a 500,000-taka project for the Bede settlement through the upazila parishad, allocation of khas [government-owned] land, and the provision of 25 sewing machines.
District Commissioner Farida Khanam said the administration is working to ensure no one in society is left outside the reach of development and government services. She said the administration would continue providing necessary support to improve the living standards of disadvantaged communities and to ensure their children have access to education and normal development.
The district commissioner also took part in various education, social protection and public welfare programs in Dhamrai upazila that day. She held a discussion with the heads of 52 secondary and higher-secondary institutions in the upazila to improve education standards. A reception was held for 186 students who received a GPA-5 [top grade].
In addition, school uniforms, bags and shoes were distributed to 42 primary school students. Loans were distributed among entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals; sports equipment was given to various educational institutions and sports clubs; educational materials were distributed to schools serving underprivileged children; and wheelchairs were distributed to persons with disabilities. Educational materials were also given to three schools for children with disabilities.
Financial assistance was given to 15 distressed and needy individuals based on applications submitted through the “Hello DC” app. Uniforms and equipment were distributed among village police, and tree saplings were distributed to 700 students of Abdus Sobhan Model School.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report