Chhatra Dal Steps In to Harvest Widow’s Paddy in Kotaliapara
Photo: Agamir Somoy
The Kotaliapara upazila unit of the Chhatra Dal has set an example of humanitarian support by harvesting and bringing home ripe paddy for a widow struggling with a labor shortage in Gopalganj’s Kotaliapara.
On Wednesday morning, party leaders and activists went to Tarakandar beel and harvested nearly one bigha of paddy belonging to Urmila Baidya, the wife of late Pratap Chandra Baidya of Kandi union.
The woman had been unable to harvest her crop for days due to a lack of laborers, despite the paddy being fully ripe. In response, a group of Chhatra Dal activists, led by upazila convener Lalon Sheikh and member secretary Niloy Haldar Mostafa, went to the field and completed the harvest. Kotaliapara upazila BNP general secretary Abul Bashar Haldar and upazila Jubo Dal member secretary Mannan Sheikh, along with local leaders, were also present.
After the voluntary harvest, the activists safely transported the paddy to her home, leaving Urmila Baidya emotional. Expressing her gratitude, she said, “The paddy had been ripe for days, but I could not find laborers. After hearing the news, the Chhatra Dal boys came and harvested everything and brought it home. I am grateful to them.”
Local residents also welcomed the initiative taken by Chhatra Dal.
Upazila Chhatra Dal convener Lalon Sheikh said the country is currently in the peak ‘Boro’ harvest season, but many farmers are facing a labor shortage.
He said that if any helpless family in the upazila is unable to harvest their paddy due to a lack of labor, Chhatra Dal will always stand by them as part of its social responsibility. The party also said such public welfare programs will continue in the future.
