A great job done voluntarily

Together they do a great work …Rich and poor cutting earth to reconstruct a 1.5 kilometre road in Sarail upazila in Brahmanbaria district. They took the initiative as repeated appeals fell on the deaf ears to authorities and local political leaders. The photo was taken from Moinda village last week. PHOTO: STAR

The 1.5 kilometre road from Moin Purbapara to Rishi Para under Mazlishpur union in Sarail upazila is nearing completion.

It was a different scene when this correspondent visited the village last week. People of all classes, from students and teachers to farmers and poor day labourers, were cutting earth with spades. The atmosphere was enthusiastic. Jubilant people were working as microphones blared music and patriotic songs.

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The villagers said as repeated appeals failed, they sat in a meeting and decided to reconstruct the road themselves before onset of the monsoon.

The only road linking Moinde and Fothehpur villages with the upazila Sadar and the district headquarter remains under one metre water during wet season, they said. It also connects Barura Bazar with Titas Ghat, a launch terminal in Titas river.

Life of about 5000 people of the villages depends on the road. Boat is the only means for children to go to school during wet season when the low lying area goes under water and the villages remain isolated.

Over the years, the road was virtually washed away, creating enormous problem.

Several prayers were submitted to the Union Parishad and the local parliament member for its repair. But none came forward.

"As all efforts failed, I drew the attention of Sarail Upazila PIO (Project Implementation Officer) and managed allocation of six tonnes of rice under Food for Works Programme but the local Union Parisjad Chairman diverted it for other projects", Fazilatunnesa, an elected local body member, told this correspondent.

Naru Mia, Hanif Mia and Nasir Mia of Moinda village said politicos from UP chairman to parliament members came before election to seek vote. They promised to reconstruct the road. Once the election was over, they were never seen.

They said all the villagers sat in a meeting in March and decided to do the job voluntarily.

"The meeting divided all the villagers into several groups", Naru Mia said.

"The groups are working alternately. The work will be completed well ahead of the monsoon", he said.

"No one can change our condition if we do not help ourselves", said farmer Hanif Mia.