Two friends’ initiative to help people affected by coronavirus

Two businessmen and friends in Bogura have taken an initiative to help destitute and unemployed people amid the coronavirus pandemic in any way they can.

Businessman Abdul Mannan Akand, president of Bogura Truck Owners' Association has been distributing food to nearly 14,000 needy people in 21 wards under the Bogura municipal area once a day. 

Another businessman Naharul Islam has sold his private car to give new clothes to helpless children before Eid.

About 100 people, including third gender volunteers, work every day from morning to evening to deliver containers of food that is prepared at Abdul Mannan's place.

"Many businessmen have already handed over 6 tonnes of rice to me. I am not telling their names as they have requested me to keep their identities secret. However, they have told me that they are with me," said Abdul Mannan Akand.

"You may have observed that people give lungis or panjabis to men, and sarees to women as zakat during Ramdan, but children are rarely given any new clothes. Therefore, I have decided to buy childrens' clothes," said Naharul Islam

He further said he would be able to buy more cars later but for now, he thought, it was more important to stand by the people in need.

Md Masud Sheikh who is in charge of food distribution expressed his feelings that he was getting the peace of mind through this initiative.