Here are the details of the administrative and social assistance extended to 88-year-old Saju Sheikh after he was seen weeping while holding his 82-year-old bedridden wife, Nurjahan Begum, in his arms due to extreme poverty, old age, and a lack of medical treatment following 70 years of married life in Khunua Charpara village of Sherpur Sadar Upazila.
A poignant scene unfolded on September 9 in Khunua Charpara village under Sherpur Sadar Upazila. 88-year-old Saju Sheikh stood in front of his house door, cradling his 82-year-old paralyzed wife Nurjahan Begum in his arms, and appealed with a trembling voice to the Almighty for food. Tears streaming down his face, Saju Sheikh clung to his bedridden wife despite being unable to stand straight due to his advanced age, leaving the neighboring onlookers spellbound and heartbroken.
Saju Sheikh and Nurjahan Begum have been living together in a small, dilapidated house for nearly 70 years. Though poverty has been their constant companion throughout their lives, their struggle for survival has taken a dire turn in their old age. About six years ago, Nurjahan Begum slipped and broke her hip bone, leaving her bedridden ever since. Due to a lack of money, Saju Sheikh could not afford her treatment, nor does he want to leave her alone to go anywhere else.
Every morning, despite his physical frailty, Saju Sheikh carries his wife out to the yard and sits beside her. Although Nurjahan Begum is hard of hearing, Saju Sheikh understands her gestures and cues to take care of all her needs. Saju Sheikh used to run a business to support his family, but he can no longer perform manual labor due to age-related ailments. Even when he goes to the market looking for work, no one hires him seeing his physical condition.
The couple has three sons and three daughters. The daughters are married and occasionally check on their parents. Among the three sons, one went missing during the COVID-19 pandemic, another drives a rickshaw in Dhaka and visits home once or twice a year. The youngest son, Nur Islam, resides in Sherpur and earns a living through daily labor and driving a pushcart; his wife died of cancer a few years ago due to lack of treatment. Struggling to run his own household with three daughters, Nur Islam is unable to properly look after his elderly parents.
On September 9, a local resident recorded the scene of Saju Sheikh crying while holding his wife on a mobile phone and shared it on social media. As the video quickly went viral, it caught the attention of the district administration and local residents. Upon receiving the news, initial emergency relief was dispatched the same day under the directions of the Sherpur District Administration.
Later on Monday afternoon, District Commissioner Farida Yasmin and Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Asma Binte Rafiq visited the elderly couple’s home in person. They inquired about the family’s overall well-being and handed over food supplies, new clothes, blankets, and cash assistance. The administration pledged to provide necessary monthly food assistance to the couple.
A social organization, “Rokto Sainik Bangladesh Foundation,” has also stepped forward with aid for the helpless family. Al Amin, the founder of the organization, stated that as soon as they learned about the incident, they provided the family with essential food supplies for a month and a half and promised continued assistance in the future.
Sherpur Sadar UNO Asma Binte Rafiq confirmed that food, clothing, and financial aid have been effectively provided since September 9 under the instruction of the District Commissioner.
Sherpur District Commissioner Farida Yasmin stated that the elderly couple was already receiving elderly allowance. She mentioned that as soon as she heard about the incident, she dispatched the UNO and visited the family personally on Monday to check on them. The District Commissioner further assured that advanced medical treatment would be arranged for the elderly Nurjahan Begum and that the district administration would always stand by the family for any of their needs.
