Three limbs paralyzed: Mahtab's plea after spending 40 years on a school veranda

Both of his legs and one of his arms are completely paralyzed. He has no home to live in. For the past 40 years, he has been living on the veranda of a local primary school.

Despite his severe physical disability, he refuses to beg or seek sympathy from others. Using his only functional hand, he makes handles for hand fans, chair armrests, and belts. The small income from this work is what keeps him going.

This is the story of Mahtab Hossain, a resident of Sheikhpara in Boro Bhatra village, Naoga Union, Tarash Upazila of Sirajganj District.

A visit to Bhatra Sheikhpara Government Primary School reveals classes taking place inside the classrooms while, on a small cot in one corner of the veranda, Mahtab lies resting.

Local residents say Mahtab was born in the village and once had a home and family property. However, after suffering from a serious illness as a child, his family allegedly took ownership of all his property and forced him out of the house. Since then, the school's veranda has become his permanent shelter.

For the past 13 years, local resident Hasina Begum has been caring for Mahtab selflessly.

"We felt deeply saddened by Mahtab brother's condition," she said. "There was no one to look after him. After discussing it with my husband, we decided to take care of him.

For the last 12 to 13 years, we've been doing everything we can. Whenever we have time, we feed him, help him bathe, wash his clothes, and take care of all his daily needs."

Recalling the hardships of his life, Mahtab said:

"When I was young, I was healthy like everyone else. At the age of 13, I contracted typhoid fever. I recovered to some extent, but after a few years my body gradually began to lose mobility."

" When I became completely disabled, my family drove me out of the house. I had no choice but to take shelter on this school veranda."

"At first, people from the neighborhood would occasionally bring me food, but that eventually stopped. So I taught myself to make handles for hand fans, chair armrests, and belts."

"The little money I earn from selling them is how I survive. Many people advised me to beg, but I refused. As long as I live, I will never stretch out my hand to ask for alms."

He appealed to the current government, saying:

"I have no place to live. If the government could provide me with a small house, I could spend the rest of my life in peace."

"Living on this school veranda is extremely difficult, especially during storms and heavy rain. Whenever a storm begins, I feel as though it could be my last day. Everything gets soaked when it rains, and life has become very painful."

Rakibul Islam, head teacher of Bhatra Sheikhpara Government Primary School, said that Mahtab once had both a home and property and was healthy as a child.

"When he was 13, he developed a serious illness. His family sought treatment for some time, but when he did not recover, they forced him out of the house."

"Since then, he has been living on the school's veranda. Both of his legs and one arm are almost completely paralyzed, and he cannot move around on his own. Whenever he needs something, local residents help him, and our students also assist him from time to time."

The head teacher urged the government to intervene, saying:

"Mahtab has nowhere to live. If the government could provide him with a house, he would at least have a permanent address in the final years of his life."

Tarash Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Nusrat Jahan said she became aware of Mahtab's situation about a month ago and personally visited him to assess his condition.

"I visited him in person about a month ago and provided him with two bundles of corrugated tin sheets. The administration will continue to extend further assistance to him in the future," she assured.