A Story of a Super-Hero (Part-1)

Author: Engineer M. M. E. Hossein

1.

Episode: Asem's good time in his village

It was 1829. India was under British rule at that time. A small village in Greater Mymensingh. Where was born a brave young man 'Asim Shariat'. Who learned horse racing, gun handling, stick and sword handling.  Which brought him a great reputation in his area. However, there was no pride or jealousy in him. Which surprised everyone. Even everyone in the village used to advise each other on his name. That before his struggling life was an enjoyable heavenly life. Which was a practice life before he became a real hero.

Episode: In Search of Fortune

Asem was 22 years old at the time. His father and two older brothers worked in agriculture at the time. However, even though Asem was not born with the dream of becoming great, he had a dream in his heart to do something new to change his fate through hard work and prayers to the Lord. For this reason, he was going to leave his family to go to a small town and start a new life. His companion was his childhood friend 'Rafiqul Bhuiyan'. The two of them had a horse each, some dry food and a map. The map was given by Asem's father to go to small town.

Episode: On the way

After leaving home, as we approached the Brahmaputra River, evening began to approach. It was not possible to cross the Brahmaputra River at night. This vast river did not just flow in torrents.

Looking at that river, Asem said, “Rafiq, we get fish from this river, we get silt and soil, people dig canals and irrigate. Again, look, this river is the reason why so many people are destitute.”

Rafiq: “These things don’t enter my head. Let’s go to finish our evening prayers.”

Asem: “Let’s go.”

Episode: Shelter found

With the help of the soft light from the star-filled sky, Asem and his friend continued to search for shelter. After going some distance from the riverbank, Asem and Rafiq came across a small town. When they went there, they saw that straw bales were being tied there. Again, spices, rice, pulses and vegetables were being sold somewhere. On one side, cows, goats, ducks and chickens were being sold. Although the village looked small from a distance, Asem realized as he got closer that it was not small at all. Suddenly, Asem saw a huge inn. Asem was impressed as soon as he entered. How beautifully the inn had been built. I would spend the night here with my friend, might be we would have some work arrangements after then. Finally, the two friends had dinner and went to sleep.

Episode: Looking for work in small town

From morning Asem saw people come from far and wide flocking to small town. Seeing the situation in small town, Asem decided that they should get to work.

Asem: "Rafiq, we should get some work done. This will cover the cost of food and accommodation for the whole day and there will be some savings."

Rafiq: "I also came for work. Whatever you do, I will do the same."

Asem: "Let's keep the horses in the stable first. Then see what work can be done."

The two kept horses in the stables and kept looking for work.

Episode: Finally getting a job

As they entered the market, they met an English gentleman. Asem knew little English. But, no one else in the market understood the Englishman's speaking. So, he went ahead. He saw that there was a crowd and everyone was staring at the Englishman.

English Sir: “Can Anyone Help Me”?

Asem shouted into the crowd, "The Englishman is asking if anyone can help him."

Thus, working as an interpreter earned twenty copper coins and three silver coins from the English gentleman.

On the other hand, Rafiq earned fifteen copper coins and two silver coins by carrying straw bales and other items on the back of a mule.

At the end of the mid-day earnings, the two friends took a bath in the bathroom and finished eating and went to rest in the noon. The crowd of people in small town was a little calmer in the noon. Again, by afternoon, the crowd grew. Then, job opportunities were created again.

Episode: Opening of post office in Ganj

Asem and Rafiq became well known after working in Ganj for a couple of months. They kept thinking about their family. It was remembered to run in the soft magic of green nature by them. However, what would they do now? After much thought they thought of opening a post office to send letters. Little did they know how groundbreaking a decision it was. In addition to the two horses brought from home, four more horses were purchased by them. They bought a shophouse after then to the market with their hard-earned money. They made this shop the center of letter delivery. As this was the first post office in this township of Greater Mymensingh, there was no dearth of people's interest. Gradually, the activities of the postal department began to increase. For each letter they took thirty copper coins and one silver coin. And the postal department used to charge one hundred copper coins and five silver coins for the transportation of commercial goods weighing 15 kg. Thus, another year and a half passed. Now Asem and Rafiq decided to send letters to their families. How long had they not seen their family members? Then they had regrated for it. They wrote letters and handed them over to the postman. Then, the postal peon left with the letter for the letter's destination….

(Running)