Dhaka: Nine months ago, Nargis Akter Liz lost a leg to complications from uncontrolled diabetes. She also lost her job, income and independence.
With no husband or children to turn to, the former cook was left struggling to survive alone in a room in North Badda.
Dhaka District Commissioner Farida Khanam handed Nargis a wheelchair and financial assistance at the district administration office, after learning about her plight.
Living alone in the North Badda area of the capital without a husband or children, Nargis previously earned her livelihood working as a cook at a private organization. However, uncontrolled diabetes forced doctors to amputate one of her legs approximately nine months ago, leaving her physically challenged and without a source of income.
Upon learning of her plight, Dhaka Deputy Commissioner Farida Khanam initiated humanitarian relief for her.
On Thursday, DC Farida Khanam officially handed over a wheelchair and cash financial aid to Nargis at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Dhaka.
Speaking at the event, DC Farida Khanam stated that standing beside helpless individuals is a fundamental humanitarian duty of the administration, adding that the goal is to help Nargis achieve long-term self-reliance rather than merely providing temporary relief.
To ensure a permanent source of livelihood, the Dhaka District Administration has taken steps to establish a fully stocked grocery store for Nargis.
The initiative aims to enable her to generate a regular income and manage her daily life independently. Expressing her gratitude, Nargis noted that the timely support from the district administration has rekindled her hopes of rebuilding her life.
“Standing beside people who are helpless and in distress is a humanitarian responsibility of the administration,” the district commissioner said.
“Our goal is not only to provide immediate assistance to Nargis but also to help her become self-reliant. We will continue providing the necessary support so that she can earn an income and live with dignity,” she said.
The wheelchair will help Nargis move around more easily, while the financial assistance will provide some immediate relief.
The planned grocery shop, however, could prove more significant in the long run.
The district administration wants Nargis to have a sustainable source of income rather than remain dependent on charity or periodic assistance. The shop is expected to be set up soon.
For Nargis, it is more than just a small business.
It could mean an income, a measure of independence and, most importantly, the chance to rebuild a life that was abruptly derailed by illness.
Once dependent on her own labour to survive, Nargis is now hoping to stand on her own again—with one less leg, but with a renewed chance to live with dignity.
