This is the tale of a poverty-stricken freedom fighter (FF) and a benevolent government official.

It is a pretty big transition for his family but the 72-year-old war hero could not see the brick-built house.

Teary-eyed Safura Khatun, wife of late FF Surat Ali of Kalu village in Moheshpur, said this during a talk with this correspondent at their newly-built house handed over by the upazila nirbahi officer on March 22.

In agony, the mother of six daughters said “Our mud house turns into the brick-built one finally but Surat is no longer with us. He died on January 6 last year due to old age complications.”

UNO Ashafur Rahman said he saw a FF lying on a dilapidated house in a miserable state during blanket distribution among the cold-stricken poor people in the area on December 15 in 2015.

“Seeing the tragic scene, I made up my mind to build a house for Surat. I could not bear to see a freedom fighter, who risked his life in 1971 Liberation War, living like this,” he said.   

In May 2016, the UNO took an initiative to start building the house with the help of some well-off people and his own money.

During a recent visit to the area, this correspondent saw that the house was built with two rooms on five decimals of land. There is electricity but no electric fans.

Wife of the late FF said her six daughters were married off but the sons-in-law could not visit the house for it had only one room.

“Thanks the UNO for such a favour to us,” she said.

Surat Ali's daughter Nurjahan Begum said they are very glad to have this house. Her mother will be able to spend her remaining days safely. 

Moheshpur upazila Muktijoddha SangsadCommander Dr Abdul Malek Gazi said if there had been more such UNOs in Bangladesh, the whole picture of the country would have changed.

The freedom fighters shouldget  their due honour and it is a matter of sorrow that Surat is no more, he said.