Umbrella craftsmen get busy when rains
Jahid Dulal, Lalmohan (Bhola)
It has been raining in Lalmohan Upazila of Bhola for the past few days. This rain seems to be creating a festive atmosphere among the umbrella craftsmen. The umbrella craftsmen on the sidewalk of Hafiz Uddin Avenue in the municipality have now become busy. 4 to 5 craftsmen repair old umbrellas at that place. One of them is 70-year-old Md. Koychar Ahmed Biswas. He has been repairing umbrellas during the monsoon season for the past 40 years. The elderly Koychar Ahmed is a resident of Rayarabad area of Ward No. 7 of Badarpur Union of the upazila.
Koychar Ahmed said, he has been repairing umbrellas for about 40 years. Work is more during the monsoon season. Work has increased slightly due to the rains in the past few days. Due to this, his income has also increased. Due to this, he is currently somewhat relieved. When the monsoon season fully begins, the work will increase further. Currently, I can earn an average of about 300 taka by sitting on the sidewalk of Hafiz Uddin Avenue every day from 10 am to 7 pm. With this, I support my family with my elderly wife. However, there is not much work except during the rainy season. Then I spend my idle time.
He also said that I do not have much property. Apart from this, although I have 4 sons, they are married and have separate families. I have married off 1 daughter. She lives in my in-laws' house. So even at this old age, I repair umbrellas. Due to my age, my body is not functioning properly. So I am forced to do this work because of my stomach. Since I am old, I will only be able to do this work for a few more days. For this, I have requested the officials of the relevant government departments to give me an old age allowance. Apart from this, if you arrange rice from the government rice for the helpless, I will be able to spend the remaining days a little better.
Another umbrella craftsman of Hafiz Uddin Avenue is 55-year-old Md. Shahe Alam. He is a resident of Charchkina area of Ward No. 5 of Kalma Union in Lalmohan Upazila. He said, "I have been repairing umbrellas for the past several years. The work is good during the rainy season. As a result, I can earn a lot of money during the rainy season. Currently, I earn an average of Tk 300 per day by repairing these umbrellas. With this income, I am running a family with my children and wives. I had two daughters in my family, I got them married. Currently, I have 3 sons. They work alongside their studies and earn some money and help me run the family. I have no property other than my house. So I have no other income. My family is somehow running on my own income and the money given by my sons.
He also said, "There are several umbrella craftsmen in different areas of the upazila including this municipality. Most of them are poor. Therefore, I demand from the government to provide necessary assistance to umbrella craftsmen like us. Then we will be able to live a little better."
In this regard, Lalmohan UNO Md. Shah Aziz said, "If the umbrella craftsmen in this upazila meet me, I will discuss with them. Then, I will try my best to bring them under the government assistance that can be provided."
