IT was heartening to know that an enterprising man in a remote village in Tangail's Nagarpur Upazila is showing the world how to bring about a material change with an immaterial toolkit comprised only of hard work, sheer willpower and perseverance. Chhainuddin, a farmer, has transformed a 1.5km narrow ridge (or ail, which separates two plots of cropland) into a dirt road for the transportation of goods and people between his village and the nearest local market. Underfunded and unsupported by technology or any kind of assistance from the local administration, it took him nearly four years to complete the task. Although he secured support from his brothers and neighbours eventually, this is a story of how individual efforts aided by proper motivation and perseverance can affect change in society.

In Bangladesh, where government support in rural development is often either scant or superficial, such enterprising people are quietly transforming their neighbourhood. While it's inspiring and should be duly promoted to encourage individual initiative for greater change, it shouldn't take our eyes off the fact that such work in public service is primarily the responsibility of the government. It should be the one initiating it or taking it forward through collaboration for a lasting impact. In Chhainuddin's case, not only did he not get any support from the government, but he worries that the road, made of earth and gravel, might get washed away come monsoon (he has appealed for urgent government support to make the road another four-foot higher at several places). The government must support such selfmotivated, socially-driven individual initiatives. It should also help create an environment in which individuals feel encouraged to act on their own to bring positive social change.