A sexagenarian man of Shailkupa municipality in Jhenaidah moves on his dear horse and sells handmade fan (made from palm tree), locally known as Hatpakha and Basom, a house sweeping instrument. Shahar Ali is a 64, resident of Kabirpur in Shailkupa municipality.
Locals said Shahar Ali alias Shawra, a mentally retarded person nurses his horse and cart, usually does not earn money. Almost isolated from his house, the elderly man grazes his horse on the road side as he cannot purchase any fodder for the animal for couple of years. The lean and skeleton horse always carries his master and Shahar Ali moving in his locality sells the sweeping instrument.
Shahar Ali said he does not sit idle, rather sells Hatpakha and Basom to purchase fodder for the horse. AS the man is not virtually involved with any income generation activities, locals offer him tea, bread and smoking. If someone proposes Shawra to sell the horse, he becomes anger and use abused languages.
He warnrs him not to offer this sort of unethical words following selling the animal which he keeps closed round the clock. Locals informed Shahar Ali does not leave the animal even during severe cold wave as he sleeps near the horse under open sky.
Shawkat Ali, commissioner of ward 9 under Shailkupa municipality when contacted said they had allocated a 10 Taka rice card for the family of Shahar Ali to stand the distressed family.