Pink doll marks river tragedy

The pink doll lay alone on the riverbank, its bright colour stark against the mud and darkness. Eight-year-old Arpita had been carrying it home after travelling with her mother, Rina Bepari, 35. She was supposed to play with it when they reached their home in Barchakathi village of Nesarabad upazila. Instead, the doll was left behind after the trawler carrying the family capsized in the Kaliganga River.

At around 9pm on Monday, October 19, Arpita, Rina and Arpita’s father, Shankar Bepari, were returning home after crossing the river from Sriramkathi Bazar ferry terminal in Nazirpur upazila of Pirojpur. The trawler reportedly carried more passengers than its capacity. Within moments, it sank.

Passengers cried for help as they struggled in the dark water. Local residents, Fire Service personnel and members of the administration joined the rescue operation. After a long search, rescuers recovered Arpita’s body. Rina remained missing.

Shankar stood at the riverbank, grieving for his only daughter and waiting for news of his wife. Around him, people mourned the child whose journey home had ended in tragedy.

The pink doll remained at the accident site. It was meant to be a small gift for a little girl, but it became a silent reminder of a childhood cut short and a family’s shattered dreams.

JHF.