A grandmother raising two grandchildren without access to basic human needs and forced to beg in the streets.
I am talking about Shohor Banu, a beggar in the streets of Jessore. Her daughter lives in Dhaka working in a garment’s factory, as this is the only way she can earn money for her and her family. Shohor Banu is lucky to receive money from her daughter every few months. Her daughter’s husband remarried and cut off all communication with her and the children. Her grandchildren are, Sabiha, a 4 year old girl and Roton, a six year old boy, who’s circumcision ceremony we attended.
I came to know about Sohor Banu through one of my friends, Lenin. Shohor Banu would often visit his shop asking for money. One day she came with a slightly unique request. It is a custom for a Muslim boy to be circumcised. Her grandson who turned six was yet to be circumcised, but she did not have enough money to pay for the procedure. She was worried and didn’t know how she would come up with this extra money. After Lenin learnt about the situation, he offered to help her. He organised a doctor’s appointment and paid for the procedure.
Few days later, Shohor Banu contacted him and invited him for lunch. While the boy went through his procedure, Lenin and his friend told me about Shohor Banu and her strife. I was overjoyed when I learnt about Lenin’s humility and generosity and was more than humbled to be in the company of such great men. When I heard about the lunch invitation, I almost invited myself to visit Shohor Banu’s home.
In the afternoon of 23rd of March, Lenin and I arrived at Shohor Banu’s home. A very ordinary looking modest home but a heartfelt welcome and hospitality. I remember sitting on the only bed they owned that day feeling a strange vibe all over my body. I was truly overwhelmed with joy and happiness, the kind of happiness I never experienced before. I was humbled to be able to share a meal with this family. I was sitting there, sharing stories and getting lost in the laughter. My everyday life and the amenities I am used to had faded away and the materialistic baggage held no value. I felt what was more innate and more human than anything else I had ever experienced.
For lunch, menu was stir-fried bitter melon, eggplant curry, chicken curry and daal with drumsticks. For dessert, we had roshogolla and payesh. I remember thinking, I hope we are not causing any inconvenience to Shohor Banu spending all this money to prepare lunch for us, when I know money is very tight. We quickly came to know, the landlord of Shohor Banu, paid and prepared the lunch for Roton’s circumcision celebration and Shohor Banu kindly extended the invitation to us.
The children outside were playing music and throwing colours at each other. While we were having lunch, the laughter of kids and the sound of music was playing softly in our ears. The elation in the air was strong and powerful. I can’t promise that I did not shed a tear or two.
Even now when I think about this day, I can honestly say, this was one of the most memorable events of my life. After all these years, I truly felt like a human being. I remember thinking that at the end of the day, we are all people and we all deserve a good life. Why, as human we create these partitions? Why do we have so many rules around race, status, class, religion and the list just go on.
This day confirmed for me again, it’s the people I want to be next to and do what I can do to reduce the gap we have created over generations.. Thank you Shohor Banu.