Kawsar Ahmad, Moulvibazar
Juri Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md. Fazle Rabbani Chowdhury has come forward to support Mana Begum, who passed the HSC examination after crawling nearly 1.5 kilometres to college every day.
Following reports published in Bangladesh Post, DBC News, Dainik Nirapekshya and other media outlets, the UNO provided Mana with financial assistance and assured her that the upazila administration would support her education and future needs.
Mana, 20, is the daughter of day labourer Haris Mia and Amina Begum of Elapur Bagan, a hamlet in Ratna Tea Garden under Goalbari Union. She has lived with a physical disability since birth. With little strength in her left hand, leg and waist, she cannot stand and moves by crawling, relying on her right hand and leg.
Despite her disability, Mana remained determined to study. She passed the HSC examination from Shah Nimattra Sagarnal-Fultala College in the Humanities group with a GPA of 2.5.
Her journey to college was a daily ordeal. She crawled about a kilometre along an unpaved road from home before boarding a vehicle and followed the same routine on her way back. The long journeys often left her exhausted and struggling to breathe, but she never gave up.
“I have been physically disabled since birth. I cannot walk and have to crawl by relying on my hands. Despite these difficulties, I passed both the SSC and HSC examinations. Now I want to enrol in a degree course, but my family cannot afford to buy books,” Mana said.
She dreams of completing her education and securing a government job.
“If I am given the opportunity to continue my studies, I will try to support myself financially,” she said.
Mana is preparing to enrol in a degree (pass) course, but financial hardship remains a major obstacle. Her father and younger brother work as day labourers, and the family lives in a dilapidated house.
Mana also hopes to get an auto-rickshaw to make travelling easier.
Her mother, Amina Begum, said, “I have raised my disabled daughter with great hardship since childhood and managed to educate her. Now I can no longer afford to continue her education. If my daughter had an auto-rickshaw, she could move around on her own.”
Local residents praised Mana’s determination, saying her decision to continue studying despite crawling to college in all weather was inspirational. They believe an auto-rickshaw would make her education and daily life much easier.
Niranjan Chasha, headteacher of Samsuddin Ahmad Government Primary School in Juri, recalled Mana as a good and enthusiastic student who travelled to school by crawling despite her disability.
Mana’s family and local residents welcomed the administration’s support. She now hopes to overcome the remaining obstacles and pursue higher education.
