BLIND BUT BRAVE

He lives in darkness and poverty, but refuses to bow down to either of them. Meet Abdul Mannan, 33, a sightless man since birth, who tries to make ends meet by selling tidbits in Dhaka city's Gulistan area rather than beggin on the streets cashing in on his visual impairment. Mannan lives with his wife and two children on whatever little proceeds he gathers from selling small items like tooth brush and nail cutters. He daily comes to Gulistan from Kamrangir Char, a sprawling slum in western Dhaka, by using a human hauler down Beri bund.

He earns around Tk. 5,000-6,000 every month and supports his family with that. Despite his blindness, Mannan has never chosen the easy way of begging. His self-respect has earned him plaudits from fellow hawkers and other people. A popular face in the area, he has never been apprached by toll collectors and locals goons for money.

When asked, Mannan says if the government or any private organisation arranges a fixed shop for him, he would not have to take the trouble of coming to the city centre daily from from the faraway place. He does not harbour any ill feelings against anyone other than his fate.

But there is glimmer of pride in his blind eyes as he describes his daily struggle and vows never to beg for anything from anyone.

 

BLIND BUT BRAVE

He lives in darkness and poverty, but refuses to bow down to either of them. Meet Abdul Mannan, 33, a sightless man since birth, who tries to make ends meet by selling tidbits in Dhaka citys Gulistan area rather than beggin on the streets cashing in on his visual impairment. Mannan lives with his wife and two children on whatever little proceeds he gathers from selling small items like tooth brush and nail cutters. He daily comes to Gulistan from Kamrangir Char, a sprawling slum in western Dhaka, by using a human hauler down Beri bund. He earns around Tk. 5,000-6,000 every month and supports his family with that. Despite his blindness, Mannan has never chosen the easy way of begging. His self-respect has earned him plaudits from fellow hawkers and other people. A popular face in the area, he has never been apprached by toll collectors and locals goons for money. When asked, Mannan says if the government or any private organisation arranges a fixed shop for him, he would not have to take the trouble of coming to the city centre daily from from the faraway place. He does not harbour any ill feelings against anyone other than his fate. But there is glimmer of pride in his blind eyes as he describes his daily struggle and vows never to beg for anything from anyone.