Md Ohidur Rahman from Netrakona.
Senior citizens are our origins and the living inspiration of our all works and actions. They transmit their experience and skills to us so that we could arm with those experiences and skill to build our features. They also instill the moral values, humanity and discipline which our ancestors practiced with pride, in us so that we could build a life that is respectful towards all religions, races, nationalities, occupations and class. Thus the senior citizens are the very sources of inspirations and are our pride! Senior citizens are the roots of our life and family bondage. They have vast knowledge, experience and wisdom which they acquired in their past life and transmit those in us for our smooth and successful life and livelihoods. They keep us motivated with courage and motivation.
However, BARCIK since its inception has been respecting the senior citizens and relying on their knowledge, wisdom, experience and skills in facilitating development activities. The organization still wants to see the future of Bangladesh through the knowledge, experience, advice and folklore practice of senior citizens comprise both men and women. This is the very strategy of the organization to work on promoting the establishment of pluralistic society where everyone enjoys their rights, have access to all resources and becomes interdependent on each other with dignity and respectful manner.
From this backdrop, BARCIK officials are always looking for the face of senior citizens to learn from them, respect them and their knowledge as well as receive advices from them. As part of the initiative to pay tribute and acknowledge the contribution of the senior citizens, BARCIK officials in Netrakona family have been visiting the houses of senior citizens who have turned to more than 100 years old! Recently BARCIK officials have visited the houses of 5 such persons who have turned more than 100 years old. BARCIK official paid tribute to those persons with some gifts that symbolize the respect and gratitude towards those experienced and skilled persons.
The persons that BARCIK officials visited and honored included: A. Mannan Talukder (103) of Atka Para village of Laxmiganj union of Netrokona Sadar upazila. He was honored with a gift of his favorite book, a shawl. Ektarun Nesha (105) of Ramkrishnapur village in Amtala Union. She was honored with warm clothes. BARCIK officials also visited and honored indigenous people who have also turned to 100 years old or almost to turn to that ages. Among those indigenous people senior citizens included Lebbing Nakrek (113) of Kalmakanda Upazila. He was honored with warm clothes. While Kopsing Nambrie (113), was also honored with warm clothes and Kumudini Hajong (94) known as the leader of Tank movement during the British regime was honored with warm cloths and a flux to preserve boiled water.
BARCIK officials including other people who gathered near the houses of the senior citizens listened to the stories, struggle and experiences of these 5 senior citizens. Everyone hears the story of their life. The story revolves around childhood, World War II, the language movement, the independence movement, nature, change in the climate and many more. The stories touched the hearts of all and gave information regarding the bravery of the people in the country. The stories also provided information regarding the rich natural resources and the change in the climate as well. The senior citizens have made huge contribution in those movements and development of our country. Therefore, it is important to highlight their contribution to future generations. Veteran A. Mannan said, ‘The world has changed, many things have ended before our eyes, many people have died, and many have come.’
However, due to being wrapped with the modern self-center attitude we the new generation have forgot what the senior citizens have done and sacrificed for us. We also have almost forgot our own culture and tradition due to being immersed ourselves with the western culture. Thus, is it time to revive the culture and it is the senior citizens who can help us in this regard. They are the living stories of our culture and tradition.
The name of the ultimate reality is old age. Old age is the last chapter of childhood, adolescence and youth. No one can escape this stage. It is the nature of life on this earth that once you get born you must experience death. Therefore, let us respect the senior citizens and thank them for their contribution. By doing this we will also prepare the stage for the generation to come to respect and thank us once we get older.
Translated by Silvanus Lamin
