Hl# ever-smiling face, simplicity and devotion to his work can't but draw one's notice. An embodiment of the poverty-stricken specimen of the rural Bangladesh. Munir, a ten-year old boy, halls from a remote village of Bhola of Barisal division.
A tea-boy in an office canteen in the city, Munir is one of the four children of a painting ’mlstrl’. In such a tender age he has been compelled to come forward with his helping hand to the 'great relief of his father. His father is to maintain a family of six members with his petty earning. Fortunately. Munir is yet to be one of the drop-outs from the primary education. He Is now a student of class three In a city government free primary school.
In reply to what his school hours are he Informs, From 8 am to 12 noon." he replied. "On return from my school I hurriedly take my meal and come to my work-place." he continued. He has to work for eight to ten hours a day without any weekly day-off or holiday. In return.he receives a wage of Taka 150 t.e. Taka 5 per day. In addition to that the owner of the canteen provides'him with one meal everyday.
When asked what he does with the money he earns, he said that he gives the whole amount to hl# father. He was very glad and proud of earning. When does he study? In reply he said. T get up very earlyl*rrihe morning and study for two hours a day.' Munir, who Is interested In study Wants "to continue his study in order to have a good Job on completion of his higher studies. He laments keeping himself busy In the canteen and the school he becomes exhausted and has no energy left to study more at home. But I am firm to go on with my studies upto bachelor's level because I want to bring a change tn my way of living and the condition of my family.
A self-taught boy, Munir has faced the reality of life and he is not in a position to
retreat. Poverty, hard work are no longer obstacles in his forward journey to a cherished goal.
One of his maternal uncles, a driver of that office, was so kind to manage this Job for him. He uttered gratefully, "It helps me, my parents a lot to maintain tHe family. Now my father Is not the only earning member in the family." To study and to work simultaneously seems to be difficult, isn't it? In reply boy Munir said, I have no alternative. A short-cut way is foreign to me. Can you suggest me any easier way?" he asked.
Have you got new clothes, shoes etc for Eid? No he said In reply. My father with his very little earnings can't afford new clothes (of course secondhand) for all of us. He has to give clothes to two of my younger sisters and brother.
No doubt, it is too early for him to earn. He is not supposed to shoulder the responsibilities of the family at such a tender age. Some are very friendly and kind some are cruel. "One of my sirs' has given me a shirt and trousers a few days back. Here it is," he showed.
'I am really exhausted of going upstairs and coming back with tea-cups downstairs. I am rebuked almost everyday and sometimes even beaten for a little mistake and at those times 1 vow to leave this Job tomorrow. But I can't, realty I can't. To tell you frankly, that tomorrow never comes. But my employer can sack me anyday, although he is well aware of my helplessness.
Munir’s tale is not the tale of himself alone. Even in this mclropolltan city, we will find thousands of Munirs. Individual help, generosity, no doubt, help them to great extent and to eke out a better life. But a lot is to be done at the state level. Hardworking, firm and determined Munirs are examples before us.