Prompt to the call of duty

Last week in Shariatpur's Dewbhog area, a woman, aged above 60, was seen lying on the cold concrete of the streets. She had been lying there for a few days, groaning in pain, yet nobody came to her aid, fearing she might be infected with Covid-19.

Fortunately for her, the new upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) of the area stood by her side and helped her find rehabilitation.

"None came forward to help the woman in fear of Covid-19, until UNO Mondip Gharai did," eyewitnesses told this correspondent.

"The woman had been lying on the Palong-Burirhat road at Dewbhog for few days," said Anowar Hossai Shahin, the person who contacted authorities after coming across the information from a local boy named Arif.

"After hearing of the matter, I called 999 and was able to talk to Shariatpur Deputy Commissioner Parvez Hasan. The DC then gave me the UNO's number and suggested I contact him," he said.

On information, the UNO rushed in, picked the woman up on his lap, and carried her to an ambulance, Anowar added.

Kazi Moniruzzaman, a local journalist, said, "Such a humanitarian act inspires others to do more for people in need."

Talking to The Daily Star, UNO Mondip Gharai said, "As soon as I came to know about the incident over phone, I rushed to the spot."

"She is now undergoing treatment at Shariatpur Sadar Hospital. However, we are yet to identify her due to her debilitated state," he told this correspondent.

Official procedure to transfer the woman to a rehabilitation centre in Gazipur has started, said the UNO yesterday.

However, she is still not out of danger. Hospital Superintendent Dr Munir Ahmed Khan said, "Though her physical condition is improving, she has some infections. We're hoping she will soon be back on her feet."

Mondip Gharai, an admin cadre of the 31th BCS, joined as Shariatpur Sadar UNO on December 7, official sources said.