A Gift Turns Ratna’s One-Hour Journey Into a 10-Minute Ride
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
Ratna Biswas, a sixth-grade student, used to walk 4 kilometers to school every day with her books slung over her shoulder. Her father, a mason, earned only a modest income, and the family often struggled to make ends meet. Buying a bicycle for his daughter was beyond their means. Because of the long walk, Ratna frequently arrived late to class and often felt exhausted. Despite the hardship, she never gave up on her education.
That difficult journey has now become much easier. Ratna has received a new bicycle as a gift. She no longer has to spend hours walking to school and can now reach her destination in just 10 minutes. The bicycle has not only eased her daily commute but also brought her dreams closer to reality.
Ratna lives in the Christian Para area of Paba Upazila in Rajshahi and studies at UCEP Rajshahi Technical School. For her family, a bicycle had long been an unattainable dream.
On July 3, government officials handed Ratna a bicycle at a ceremony held in the meeting hall of the Paba Upazila Parishad.
Ratna was overjoyed to receive the new bicycle and struggled to put her feelings into words. Fighting back emotion, she said, “My father works very hard to support our family. Buying a bicycle was not possible for him. I have to walk 4 kilometers to school every day, and I often arrive late for class. Sometimes I felt that if things continued this way, I might have to stop studying after a few more grades. Now I will be able to reach school in a very short time by bicycle.”
Ratna views the gift as a responsibility as much as an opportunity. “Now I will be able to focus more on my studies,” she said. “I want to become a nurse and serve people in need. This gift will make it easier for me to achieve that dream.”
Ratna’s teachers were also pleased to see her receive the bicycle. Teacher Abdul Quddus highlighted her determination and the hardships she had endured. He said, “Ratna is a talented and hardworking student. But traveling such a long distance on foot every day was very difficult for her. Seeing her happiness after receiving the bicycle is rewarding for us as teachers. Support like this will encourage students from low-income families to continue their education.”
Holding the keys to her new bicycle, Ratna could not hide her excitement. “My father is a mason. We are very poor. It was not possible for him to buy me a bicycle,” she said.
Ratna was not the only student to benefit. At the same ceremony, Imon Tudu, a student of Kashba High School, also received a new bicycle. He, too, had long walked to school because his family could not afford one. Officials distributed new bicycles to 18 students from low-income families during the event.
Paba Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Mohammad Ibnul Abedin said the government’s initiative provides more than immediate assistance; it also helps create opportunities for students to build a better future.
“If such initiatives continue, no talented student from a low-income family will be deprived of education because of transportation difficulties,” UNO Ibnul Abedin said.
