<i>Labour of love for 'life saving embankment'</i>
With spontaneous participation of people, the embankment along Kangsa River in Netrakona is nearing completion.Photo: STAR
Over 15 thousand people of 34 villages under Barhatta upazila in Netrakona district are giving voluntary service to construct a seven-kilometre long embankment on the bank of River Kongsa. Called by local people 'Jiban Rokkha Bandh' (life saving embankment), the embankment from Fakirar Bazar in Barhatta upazila to Dudhkura in Netrakona Sadar upazila is expected to save crops on thousands of hectares of land and people in 71 villages of five unions from floodwaters. Swabalambi Unnayan Samity (SUS), a local NGO, motivated the people to participate in the Care-SHOUHARDO programme assisted by Care Bangladesh. "We hope construction of the embankment will be complete within a week," SUS Programme Director Sawpon Kumer Paul told this correspondent. All sections of people including students, farmers, religious leaders and public representatives are working with local instruments like spade and tukri as the construction work started on March 16. With the prospect of protection from menacing floodwaters from Kongsha, the locals were seen in a joyous mood. Netrakona Deputy Commissioner Ayat-ulla Mojumder inaugurated the construction work. CARE-Bangladesh regional Coordinator Jakir Khan, JP presidium member Fakir Ashraf, former lawmaker Bani Ashraf, Barhatta Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Muzammel Haque and Raipur union Chairman Suruz Ali were present, among others, at the inauguration programme presided over by Begum Rokeya, Executive Director Sabalamby Unnayan Samity.
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