Poverty Alleviation

Author: Engineer M. M. E. Hossain

1.

Shafi had just finished his studies. His full name was Shafiuddin. He wanted to serve humanity with his own money. But he was not that kind of person who would fulfill own wishes in his life if he could those. Because he was born into a poor family. But were those who were the brave children of time ever weak? The answer was, no. Shafi also had the same attitude. Just because he was poor, could he not do anything to alleviate the suffering of the poor people? How could this be? Did anyone realize how great a servant of humanity this boy with a black, seemingly skinny body was going to become? He may have been black, seemingly skinny, and poor, but his willpower was not weak. It was as if God Himself had shaped his unknown path into a known path.

2.

Shafi studied at the Degree College in Manohardi. He obtained a bachelor's degree in political science. The Shafi’s are two brothers. The younger brother studied in a madrasa. Due to financial difficulties, he completed the Quran memorization from the Hafiz department and did not study further. How much fun was going on in the world! No one would understand unless they saw it or were in danger. How could Shafi serve humanity when the responsibility was to gather a handful of food? After realizing that, he decided to sell the 2630 sqmeter of the land of his father's owned, excluding the house. Because, without some money of his own, it would not be possible for him to do anything. He had made such a decision after realizing that. But he was a little worried about the future. No matter what, he planned to take the bet and win.

3.

Younger brother Rafiuddin alias Rafi, returned home after praying Maghrib. Shafi's parents were at home. Shafi was currently tutoring. Shafi and Rafi's father were daily wage laborers. Once upon a time, he earned good money working as daily wage laborers in Dhaka. But gambling addiction had ruined everything. Shafi's father had given up gambling after his marriage. From then on, he had vowed that if he had children, he would send one of them to a madrasa. However, he would teach everyone the values ​​of being good. For this reason, he had also bought twenty-two books on religion and being good. Finally, after being injured in a car accident, he left Dhaka. At that time, his in-laws helped him. When he returned to the village and moved into his ancestral home, he received a 2104 sqmeter share of the house and 2630 sqmeter of the agricultural land. That day, when Shafi, with his father, mother, and brother inside the house, lit a kerosene lamp and talked about selling the land, his father became extremely angry.

Father: “(In a tearful voice) this is my father's memory. How could you talk about selling me? Do you know how much I've suffered raising you? How could such a thing come out of your mouth?"

Shafi: (in a tearful voice) My father, it is not my duty to hurt you. Even if I have not eaten, I will feed you.”

Saying this, Shafi was about to leave the room when his younger brother Rafi grabbed his hand and said, “Where are you going, brother? Father does not understand. I explain to father.”

Father: (while crying) Okay, tell me. What will you do?”

Shafi: “I will buy a water pump machine.”

Father: “What if the water pump machine breaks down?”

Mother: “Let him talk first. He is a learned man. Do you have his knowledge?”

Father: "Well, I'll keep your mother's word. Tell me, what's your plan?"

Shafi: "Without a water pump machine, how can we save people from the hands of the usury moneylender Raisu Patwari? And, if we give water to our brothers from our machine at such a cheap price, we will also save their life.

And if a farmer cannot pay the taka in one installment, we will take the taka in four installments without interest. Rafi will stay with me in this work. What do you think Rafi; will you stay or not?”

Rafi: “Of course, I will stay.”

Shafi's father was very happy to hear about his plan. This time, Shafi's father was waiting to see his son's miracle with the money from the land sale.

4.

Shafi had met Kalimullah uncle while he was going to his father's half-broken bicycle from Nanagar village.

Uncle Kalimullah: “Where are you going, uncle?”

Shafi: “Uncle, I was looking for a buyer to sell my father’s land.”

Uncle Kalimullah: “What are you going to do by selling the land?”

Shafi knows that this Kalimullah uncle is Raisu Patwari's right hand. So, without giving any explanation, he said, "No, nothing. This means we will prepare the house a little better. What else?"

Kalimullah uncle: "That is. Whatever you sell, Raisu Sahib is there to buy it."

Shafi: "So, how much will you give?"

Kalimullah uncle: "Hold on, eighty thousand. Paddy land, no one will say more than that."

Shafi: "I will discuss it and then tell you."

Finally, Shafi returned home with the half-broken bicycle.

5.

After discussing with his father, Shafi told his Kalimullah uncle that he would take one lakh taka for selling land. After the negotiation, Shafi's land was sold for ninety thousand takas. Just before the Boro paddy planting, he bought a water pumping machine and announced that he would provide services to the farmers for a small fee. The farmers were very happy with this. Along with this, two motor-mounted vans were purchased, and arrangements were made for the prompt transportation of the farmers' goods. At the same time, the Raisu Patwari interest business seemed to be on the verge of ending. On hearing this news, Raisu Patwari sent his stick force through Kalimullah. The common people of the village resisted them together. Everyone was chanting slogans,” May the moneylender Raisu be killed, may the people be liberated.” Amidst this commotion, the entire Raisu force fled. Then, a spirit of mutual assistance began to spread in the village. All the Muslims and Hindus of the village started helping each other. The process of collecting money in installments through commodity loans began. This was the Shafi's new plan which was to alleviate poverty.

6.

Shafi had done human service. That time, his mind was getting bored due to the lack of something. Seeing his brother's bored mind, Rafi said, "Brother, you should get married. You don't have anyone you like, brother."

Shafi: "Hey brother, let's not delay this time. My bride is Swarnali."

Rafi knew his brother's future wife, Swarnali. She was Shafi's student. She looked like Shafi, dark-skinned and slim. However, her smile was sweet, like a heavenly woman.