Mother of three drives auto-rickshaw to support family

With her husband unable to work after a road accident and three young children to support, Yasmin Akter took the wheel of a rented battery-run auto-rickshaw to keep her family afloat.

She now drives the vehicle to cover household expenses, keep her children in school and help pay for her husband Shahin’s treatment.

Yasmin’s struggle came to the attention of Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mian through a local journalist. On Wednesday, she drove her auto-rickshaw to the DC’s weekly public hearing and told him about the hardship her family has been facing.

The DC praised her determination to earn a living rather than depend on others and urged her to ensure that her children continue their education.

“You have faced so many challenges, yet you have not depended on others. You took an auto-rickshaw and are working hard to support your family. That is very good,” Zahid told her.

He later came down from his office and posed for a photograph with Yasmin beside her auto-rickshaw.

The DC provided immediate financial assistance for Shahin’s treatment. Yasmin was also given rice, lentils, cooking oil and other essentials, along with some gifts.

“I have three sons and I am trying to support them. He gave me rice and some money,” Yasmin said after receiving the assistance.

Others seek help

Yasmin was among 21 service seekers who attended Wednesday’s public hearing in person, according to the district administration. An expatriate also joined online to lodge a complaint.

Several applicants sought assistance for medical treatment, while others raised issues related to financial hardship, disability, land disputes and alleged property grabbing.

The district administration provided financial assistance to 10 sick and financially vulnerable people and one student.

Among those seeking help was Omar Faruk, a visually impaired first-year history student at the University of Chittagong. His day-labourer father supports their five-member family, making it difficult to meet Omar’s education, transport and study expenses. He was provided financial assistance.

Iffat Jahan Isha, a kidney patient requiring dialysis three times a week, also suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure. Her unemployed father, Abdur Rahim, is struggling to meet her treatment costs.

Md Nazmul Huda is undergoing chemotherapy after surgery for colon cancer and is also receiving treatment for epilepsy. Mounting medical expenses have made it difficult for him to continue treatment.

Several other applicants said paralysis, prolonged illness and disability had left them unable to work or afford treatment.

After hearing the applicants, the DC instructed the relevant officials to take necessary action. In some cases, he also directed officials to inform the applicants about the outcome.

“Once an application is received, the service seeker should know where it went, what decision was taken and what the outcome was. That is also our responsibility,” Zahid said.

Yasmin’s case, however, stood out. With her husband unable to work and three children depending on her, she has taken the wheel of an auto-rickshaw to keep her family going�"and received some immediate relief at the public hearing.