Expatriate contributes to Gaibandha dam construction

Every day, more and more people irrespective of social status and political affiliations are taking up spades. Those who can not do physical labour are contributing in cash and kind to arrange food for the men-in-work.

Fulchari upazila officials and employees also joined the work for a day and Gaibangha Deputy Commissioner Tapan Chandra Majumder during a visit assured the people all possible help in their work.

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The local initiative got a big boost after The Daily Star on March 1 published a report on their voluntary efforts in building the dam, its organisers told this correspondent.

The report also brought in tremendous response from abroad.

A London-based Bangladesh from Gaibandha -- Khorshed Alam Khushi -- was enthused by reading the report on internet.

"He sent Tk 45,000 for the project, thanked the organisers and assured more help", Shahidul Islam, one of the organisers, said. Islam is the convener of a body styled Self Help Implementation Parishad has mobilised local people to build the dam voluntarily.

The money was handed over to him by Khorshed's father Al-Hajj Abdus Satter, Islam said.

"This is a great work done by The Daily Star", her said.

The report deadlined 'Self help is the best help' has said that not getting any government help despite repeated appeals and agitation, local people have joined hands to build a dam on voluntary basis to protect Fulchari upazila headquarter and vast crop lands.

Islam also urged journalists to highlight such initiatives because this encourages people to do good things, he said.