Happiness In Sharing
Imagine that you are at work, and right through your window you see the sun setting far away, shedding orange light on the world's third highest mountain, Kangchenjunga.
Wouldn't you feel great?
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. When it's a cloudless evening, the sublime scene warms Kabir Akond's heart every single time.
”Well, I have been a real lucky man. Both my personal and professional lives have been extremely happy,” he told The Daily Star over phone from his office in Tetulia, country's extreme northern upazila, recently.
A proud father of two, the divisional manager of Kazi and Kazi Tea Estate Limited is blessed with another thing -- his ability to share happiness with others, especially with the underprivileged children in his area.
During the winter in 2010, he opened “Shishuswarga Pathagar”, a library for such children, in his Kamala Bagan office room, having around 2,000 children and academic books.
Later, the man from Netrokona's Barhatta area introduced a monthly stipend of Tk 300 and Tk 200 for the two students scoring highest marks in every class of local Darjipara Government Primary School.
The 37-year-old was dubbed by the school's headmistress Noorjahan Begum, among others who know him, a “change maker” in that area. She said those inspiring moves not only prevented many students from becoming dropouts but also encouraged others to do better.
According to locals, the area has, approximately, a literacy rate of just 20 percent and plenty of school dropouts, largely because of poverty.
Kabir said at first the children who visited the library were treated with candies, a strategy he took to introduce the kids to the world of reading.
The practice is there even today. Moreover, school dropouts are also taught English twice a week inside that room.
The idea first popped into his mind some six years ago when he bought a group of school dropouts, who were loitering outside his office, some candies from a grocery store.
“Such a small gift put such a big smile on their faces...,” he recalled and said he then decided to do something that would help such children in the long run.
“Happiness is one of those things that increase when you share. I am sharing mine with these children.
“Trust me, I don't spend more than 10 percent of my monthly salary to do all this things, but the happiness, love and respect I get from the people here is simply something money can't buy,” added a Joyous Kabir.
It is rare that any needy student or their guardians sought financial assistance from him and returned empty-handed, according to locals.
For example, Tahmina Akter, a single mother, who had quit her studies to become a garment worker in the capital, found Kabir by her side when she was at a loss.
Her days have changed. Today, she is a student of Veterinary Science at Bangladesh Agriculture University in Mymensingh.
Many such boys and girls from that area are now studying at different public universities, including Dhaka University and Rajshahi University, and a private institution, Institute of Health Technology, in Rangpur.
Talking to this correspondent, Kabir, a former student of Jahangirnagar University's Geography department, acknowledged the support of many current and former students of his university in his mission. They came to know about the matter via Facebook.
“Money has not been a problem so far,” he said, “Many, mostly from JU, are quite proactive when it's about children's education.”
As Kabir was saying he needed more such volunteers in future, more good news was awaiting him.
A girl of a local day labourer became 26th on the merit list of this year's Rajshahi University admission test.
“See, this girl would have to quit her study to get married had we not offered her our support and love,” he said in an emotional yet a joyful voice, promising to continue his work for the underprivileged children in future.
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