<i>A ray of hopes for Jamuna shoal people</i>
Village youths learning computer at the IT centre under 'Natun Ashar Alo' project at Govindasi Bazar in Bhuapur upazila in Tangail district.Photo: STAR
Coordinated shoal development projects, undertaken by the Army as part of its flood rehabilitation programmes, have raised hopes among the poor and jobless people living in Jamuna shoals in Bhuapur upazila in Tangail district recently. The 98 Composite Brigade of Jamuna Cantonment with the help of local Agriculture Extension and Livestock Departments and NGOs is implementing the programmes under the supervision of local committees and sub-committees. The grass roots level work plan of small projects under the pilot project 'Notun Ashar Alo' was finalised for 19 villages of Char Gabsara union under Bhuapur upazila in Tangail district on December 26 last year and concerned people of the projects were given required trainings. Under the project, a modern tele centre with Internet connection, with the help of a NGO named Amader Gram, has been set up at Govindasi Bazar temporarily under the tele centre project. Local farmers will be able to collect information about agriculture and health from the tele centre and local students and youths can learn computer operating from the project. A good number of families have been given necessary support for hare rearing, dairy farm and cultivating groundnut. As per the project plan, a part of their profit will be used for bringing other families under the project. Besides, there are projects on cultivation of hybrid maize, Boro paddy and sweet potato, fish farming on water bodies, weaving net by fisher women, candle making, food producing, health, nutrition and sanitation, and culture and mental development. An engine boat, being made at a cost of Tk 1.5 lakh, will be used to carry emergency patients from the shoals and for transportation of local administrations. A total of 1,360 families will be benefited from the projects taken up following directive of Brig Gen Nasimul Gani, said Major Jahangir, who is in charge of the projects.
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