Mashrafe: A different kind of MP

Covid-19 in Bangladesh

TBS Report
16 April, 2020, 04:20 pm
Last modified: 16 April, 2020, 04:32 pm
Amid a countrywide shutdown, sportsman turned politician Mashrafe is travelling from village to village and distributing relief among the poor

As a farmer in Mulia municipality of Narail Sadar upazila walked home from work, a motorcycle stopped in front of him.

"Uncle, I am Mashrafe," the rider introduced himself.

Mashrafe Bin Mortaza is currently the member of parliament for the Narail-2 constituency and former captain of the Bangladesh national cricket team. Despite being an MP, there were no police officers or security guards around him, reports Jagonews24.

His conversation with the farmer, as well as his recent activities, showed that the humble sportsman is carrying out his current responsibilities with the same enthusiasm as cricket.

"How are you? Is everyone fine at your home? Uncle, is there food at your house?" he asked. Mashrafe then handed over a bag of food and some money to the farmer.

"Goodbye uncle, please pray for me. Beware of the coronavirus!"

Amid the countrywide shutdown to prevent the spread of Covid-19, Mashrafe is going from village to village on his motorbike, asking people about their conditions and distributing relief material among them.

The next day, Mashrafe stopped his bike in another village of his constituency and greeted more farmers, rickshaw-van pullers, and many other people he met on his way to Dhaka from Narail.

He got off his motorcycle and spoke to many poor people, asking them of their condition. Mashrafe also gave them food and money.

But he forbade people from taking photographs since it would hurt the self-esteem of the families he was helping.

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