After a spectacular program at Barisal, Patuakhali and
Bauphal , we were on our way back to Dhaka. We arrived at Mawa Ferry Ghat on
time because the road conditions were very good and many ferries had been
replaced by bridges. However, there were limited ferries available due to the
Padma Bridge construction work some ferries were unable to operate. Our Ferry
was cancelled and we were ushered to the other side where we were told the last
ferry would leave. There were already over 200 vehicles waiting for this last
ferry but only four remaining spaces, when our vehicle got to the front, the
security stopped us and said "VIP only".
Two were already booked one for Professor Dr Mohammad Fayek
Uzzaman, VC Khulna University and other one for S M Mostofa Roshidi Shuja, MP
Khulna. The security came forward to choose another two VIPs but there were at
least twenty more VIPs, probably government officials, business men or
politicians, all desperate to go. It was difficult for the security to identify
the VIPs so they had been told to take the business cards and went to a higher
authority to make a decision. Everyone was giving their cards and my driver
requested me to give my card, I was hesitant because I am not a VIP.
I was born in a underprivileged rural village in Noakhali
and have been working in England and all my brothers and sisters live in the
village, I have no relatives in a high positions so I was quiet and thinking I
could have been a VIP if I had spent the money I earned and all the opportunities
I had on myself, alas, I devoted my life on education for the underprivileged
and deprived people so I belong to them. My driver said “Sir may I have one of
your cards?” I thought what’s the points it doesn’t carry any VIP status, it’s
got only my name my UK and Bangladeshi address and telephone numbers for both
countries. I gave him my card anyway, just to make him happy. He took the card
and gave it to the security. The security took all the cards and went inside,
after a while they came to our vehicle and said “Sir you can come” and told our
driver to board the ferry.
Before I realised what was going on, we had boarded the
ferry, everyone was looking at us, our vehicle wasn’t expensive either, it was
rented. I was inside my vehicle and thinking, if my flight wasn’t tomorrow, I
could have stayed in Mawa Guest House or somewhere near as Bangladesh is not
like 15/20 years ago, it’s got lots of facilities. In the meantime one of the
security knocked on my window and requested to follow him to go to a VVIP room,
my companions were little bit worried but I followed him out of curiosity to
see the VVIP room. He showed me my seat, I found that the VC was already there,
we introduced ourselves and learned more about each other. He was sharing a
little bit of his student life and how he becomes a VC.
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With Prof. Dr Mohammad Fayek Uzzaman,
VC Khulna University
and S M Mostofa Roshidi Shuja, MP
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We just started a conversation on primary education in
Bangladesh when MP Shuja entered the room with his wife followed by one of the
local prominent political leaders. I understood they were familiar with each
other as they very frequently travelled this route. MP Shuja introduced his
wife to me, she was extremely polite and a gentle lady. MP Shuja ordered some
food, the room was like a five star hotel lounge, the food served was very neat
and clean and I enjoyed everything because in Bangladesh it can be very
difficult to find a suitable place to eat on your journey. Later I discovered
that the top VVIP of Bangladesh frequently travelled on this ferry. MP Shuja
was curious about me, asking lots of questions, how long have I lived in
England, what I do, where I was born, why I am giving computers to journalists.
I was answering all the questions and his wife, VC and the other gentlemen were
listening quietly. The ferry journey was two hours but the time passed quickly.
By the end of the conversation we reached the other side of the Mawa Ghat.
Before we parted they invited me to visit Khulna and I
invited them to England. Our vehicle continued on to Dhaka but my visualisation
and thoughts had gone back. I had wondered and asked myself questions, how it
happened? Was it a miracle from Allah or a blessing from my parents or the
blessing because of my hard work for which I have devoted my life for others. I
wished if I could go back and ask the security why they chose me even though I
am not a VIP that’s also not possible as I had to go to London the next day so
the mystery will remain. I felt, whatever I did for my country my country gave
me more. Motherland is like a mother. Whatever a mother does for the children
it’s a creation of Allah and a miracle so no-one can replace or figure out the
reason behind it so I had compromised myself and diverted my mind towards
Dhaka.
Our vehicle crossed Hatirjheel and was entering Gulshan, we
stopped by the check post and I was requested to open the windows and answer a
few questions, they looked at me and allowed us to go. Gulshan and Baridhara is
a place where most of the VIP lives in Bangladesh so all the access points are
very often checked if you are not a VIP. My house is also surrounded by the
VIPs, one side is a government owned house where a minister lives, in front an
ex-chief justice and on the other side an election commissioner but in my
house, live all the underprivileged and deprived students who I have chosen. I
bring them from the village and provide the opportunity to study in different
universities in Dhaka. I would stay with them tonight and tomorrow would go
back to England and wait for another miracle to be a VIP.
Written by: DR. Nurul Karim, Barmingham, UK.
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| DR. Nurul Karim, Barmingham, UK. |
