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Taraman living out a hard life

Although honoured with Birpratik for her role in the liberation war, she is still fighting neglect and poverty

BISHAWJIT DAS
Doctors till yesterday could not identify the disease 52-year-old Taraman Bibi, Birpratik, has been suffering from for years.
"I cannot breathe easily," said Taraman, admitted to the National Institute of Chest Diseases and Hospital at Mohakhali on November 2.
A six-member medical team, led by Professor Falauzzaman Khan, director of the hospital, is looking into her case.
Taraman has laboured breathing since 1995. "I cannot talk or move when I am in pain," she said.
Her problem is still unidentified, Prof Khan told Star City, adding: "She is well now and under the respiratory care unit. But she was earlier suffering from tuberculosis."
He also said the medical board carried out a thorough check-up on her and found no problem. She still needs to undergo two diagnoses that cannot be done in the hospital, he said.
The hospital needs Tk 15,000 for the two tests to be done outside. Prof Khan said the doctors' welfare trust would chip in and he is also trying to collect funds from other sources.
She is living out a hard time, although she was honoured with one of the highest awards in Bangladesh. She is the first woman in Bangladesh to achieve the Birpratik award for her valour, bravery and participation in the 1971 liberation war.
She has been getting Tk 2,000 a month from January this year, which is not enough for her family. "Most of that amount is spent on
medicine," said Abdul Majid, her husband.
Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who was then in opposition, visited Taraman in the Circuit House in Kurigram, her home district, on May 15, 2000 and promised her a house and a job for her son-in-law after going to power.
But none of the promises was kept, although the BNP-led coalition completed two years in office.
The government, however, gave her the land documents of 45 decimals for her house on September 26. But Taraman said, "It's lowland and not suitable for a house. I have not yet taken possession of the land."
"I tried to contact the DC (deputy commissioner) several times but could not reach him even after making appointments," she complained.
State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Rezaul Karim visited her in hospital yesterday and gave her Tk 25,000 and bundles of tin for reconstruction of her house in Kurigram.
The land will be handed over to her in eight days, he said with an assurance that her case will be taken care of.
She submitted an application to the state minister, requesting him to make an arrangement to send her abroad for better treatment.
"I want to live like a normal human. I need to go abroad for better treatment."
She still looks forward to the prime minister meeting the promises she made during her election campaign in 2000.