Rubel pleads for selflessness

During this time of crisis when the whole world is fighting the spread of coronavirus, the roles played by the country's footballers and cricketers have earned a lot of praise. Starting from premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan to footballer Jamal Bhuyian -- all the players have come forward and made their contributions. Their contributions ranged from monetary help to awareness posts through Facebook and social media. Even a few well-off players came forward and stood by their less-fortunate fellow athletes and such an example was recently set by Bangladesh ODI skipper Tamim Iqbal when he took the responsibility of providing expenditure to the family members of the fastest teenage sprinter Samiul Islam.

However, among all these athletes who came forward in this crisis, Bangladesh pacer Rubel Hossain's activities grabbed most public attention. Rubel has been posting awareness messages on social media since COVID-19 was first detected in the country. Aside from making monetary donations, the pacer also donated infrared thermometres in his hometown Bagerhat. For Rubel, who has also voiced his outrage against wrong doers publicly, cricket has now become secondary as his prime concern has been the nation's condition and its people's plight during this pandemic.

According to Rubel, two things need to be addressed more than anything now. Firstly, the need to provide food for the needy and next to that is the need to stay safe and conscious to help curb the spread of the virus.

"Bangladesh is currently going through a horrible situation. What should I say; I guess there is no other option than staying safe and conscious. We need to stay at home and also help the needy ones as much as we can," opined Rubel during an interview over phone with The Daily Star.

Drawing up on the example of his hometown Bagerhat, the pacer further mentioned, "We do not have many COVID-19 cases in our locality. But the main problem here is that there are numerous people who are living below the poverty line. And the ratio of such people is higher in the area I live. I own three buildings here and I have already asked the tenants to not worry about the rent till the situation is contained. I am trying my best to help the people around me. I am also using social media to make people aware as a number of people follow us on Facebook."

Some unwanted things are also troubling Rubel. The pacer is left worried and with immense grief as the ones who should have come forward in taking care of the less fortunate ones more than anyone else in the country are now the ones who are stealing essential commodities that came in as relief for the needy people.

"I do not know what to say about the ones who are stealing essential commodities like rice, lentil and oil. Instead of helping others they are stealing government allocated reliefs. I just do not know what to say about them. I think these sort of heinous activities have only made our heads bow down in shame," sighed Rubel.

A nationwide lockdown has already been imposed due to the coronavirus. And hence, the income source for many people has also been halted. Rubel believes if steps are not taken against such heinous acts, the situation will only worsen.

"The whole country is suffering, especially the needy ones. The needy ones are unsure which will take their lives first, coronavirus or hunger? This thought might lead them to think differently which they usually do in such cases," Rubel said, issuing a warning to the nation.

However, even after all that is happening, Rubel is still keeping his faith on the leaders of the country. Even he urged his countrymen to do the same and have faith.

"We need to have faith in the administration, doctors, nurses and military personnel as they are the ones who are fighting from the frontline. They are the ones who are taking the virus head on. Whereas we have very little to do here," concluded Rubel.