Spreading Eid joy among those hardest-hit by pandemic  

At a time when the pandemic has left scores of people without jobs and livelihoods, making it difficult to earn even daily wages, a group of youths in Rangpur have come forward to spread the joy of Eid among the impoverished people of Rangpur city. 

The youths under a voluntary organisation 'Natun Surja' have raised funds on their own and provided Eid aid package for around 200 pandemic-affected people in the city so far.

Members of Update Rangpur, a Facebook group, also teamed up with them. 

The initiative has garnered praise and instilled joy among the recipients of the package. 

Each package -- priced at Tk 2 -- contains aromatic rice for cooking pulao, vermicelli, sugar, lentils, soybean oil, soap, and masks, said Afrida Jarin, a spokesperson of the youth organisation. 

"We raised the funds together by saving from our expenses," she told The Daily Star. The team members distributed the packages among people at Bangabandhu Mural in Rangpur city on Saturday, she said. 

"Most people feel hesitant to take something for free. That's why we are charging Tk 2 from them," Afrin said. 

"We are badly affectedly by the pandemic. It is hard to earn enough to bear family expenses after paying the rent for my vehicle," said Mohsin Ali, an easy-bike driver in Rangpur city. 

"This package is a great help amid such circumstances. It's enough for us to celebrate the Eid with family," he said.  

"I could never buy so many items with Tk 2 only," said Ashraf Mia, a beggar in Rangpur city. "Poor people cannot celebrate the Eid festivities, as they can hardly manage three meals a day in the present situation.

This package comes as a great help to them," he said. 

Hasan Al Sakib, an admin of Update Rangpur, a Facebook-based group, said that they tried to stand by the pandemic-affected people so that they too can celebrate the festival with their near and dear ones. 

The youths earlier also distributed iftar and food packages during last Ramadan.