Among the 10 persons nominated for the Independence Award by the government for the year 2024, three are residents of Mymensingh city. When the list of nominees was released recently, there was a lot of discussion on social media.
The awardees are being congratulated on social media. Apart from the district and divisional administration, floral greetings have been expressed by various organizations and individuals. The three awardees are - Dr Harishankar Das, who will get award in Medical Science, Aranya Chiran in Social Service and Feroza Khatun in Sports.
Earlier, different persons from Mymensingh district have been awarded this medal, but this is the first time that three people have received this award at the same time. The contribution and activities of these three persons are highlighted in series.
Dr. Harishankar Das
During the global epidemic corona, everyone was confined to safe shelter at home in total lockdown.
All the private practitioners have put their lives on the line when the doctor's chambers were closed, keeping trust in the creator and ignoring fear and providing regular services to the patients. He did not close his medical institution even for a day.
Apart from treatment, he regularly engaged himself in anti-corruption and social movements.
He passed MBBS from Mymensingh Medical College in 1974.
After that, he underwent various trainings at home and abroad, he left his job in 1982 and in 1984 he established his own company 'Paramita Eye Clinic' in Charpara of the city. From the beginning, he provided free medical services to the poor and helpless patients.
Still he is visiting patients for free on an average time of two hours per day. He also provided medicine to poor patients many times. He himself is suffering from various complications including diabetes, high blood pressure but still he did not stop serving the patients even for a day.
Harishankar Das wants to remain in the welfare of common people for whole life.
Aranya Chiran
Aranya Chiran is a poet and researcher of Garo ethnicity. He spent his childhood in Dighalbagh village on the banks of Netai river in Dhobaura upazila on the Bangladesh-India border.
Home of Garo-Hajong tribals. From a young age, he associated himself with various socio-cultural organizations for the rights of tribals. In that continuation, he is still playing a vital role in preserving the rights of the tribals.
Currently he is serving as the President of Mymensingh District Tribal Welfare Association. He plays a prominent role in the Wangala festival of Garo tribals and other rituals.
Feroza Khatun
The 10-time fastest human at the national level, Feroza Khatun, lives in the city's Mrityunjoy School Road. He last won the title of fastest man in 1996. He hasn't been on the track much since then.
He won various medals in 100m race as well as 200m long jump. But his highest achievement in international arena is bronze medal. Since retiring from sports, he has been involved as a sports organizer.
At present, he is working as the general secretary of the divisional sports organization as the backstage engineer of making players from the grassroots level. Before that, he became the fastest human ten times from 1987 to 1996.
Expressing his feelings after receiving the award, he said, receiving this award is undoubtedly a great joy and pride.
In the future, she wishes to work for the free and greater participation of women in the field of sports. Prior to this achievement, he won the National Sports Award in 2013. Firozha Khatun is a regular face in Mymensingh sports arena.