Prime Minister (PM) Tarique Rahman on Saturday gifted a CNG, battery-run, and pedal-operated rickshaws to three fighters of July uprising to support their self-employment and livelihoods.
The prime minister handed over the gifts during a ceremony held at Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in the afternoon, according to PM’s Assistant Press Secretary, Shahriar Pamir.
Pamir said the prime minister gifted one CNG, two pedal-operated rickshaws, and two battery-run auto-rickshaws to assist three fighters of July mass uprising in their self-employment and livelihood.
During the event, Tarique spoke to each of the recipients, inquiring about their physical condition, families, and livelihoods. He also personally observed how the gifted vehicles would be operated and provided necessary directions for their safe travel to their destinations.
Among the recipients, Mohammad Aziz Sheikh, a resident of Lohagara upazila in Narail and a second-year Honours student in Department of Social Work at Mirpur Bangla College, received the CNG auto-rickshaw.
Aziz, who was shot in Mirpur-10 during the July mass uprising, still carries 36 bullet splinters in his body.
“I support my studies and family by driving a CNG,” Aziz said, adding that he supported his family alongside his studies during July mass uprising. During their interaction, Tarique told him, “You must continue your studies.”
Md Gaffar from Kushtia was gifted two pedal-operated rickshaws. During the uprising, Gaffar had regularly supplied water to protesters in Mohakhali and transported the injured to hospital on his own rickshaw.
Gaffar said he would earn his living by driving one of the gifted rickshaws in Dhaka and rent out the other.
Additionally, 65-year-old Asadul Haque Bishu, a resident of Gabtoli upazila in Bogura, was gifted two battery-run auto-rickshaws. Bishu expressed his gratitude, saying, “I was living a very hard life due to lack of employment. This gift will be of great benefit to me.”
The ceremony was attended by Member of Parliament Advocate Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, PM’s Press Secretary Abu Abdullah M Saleh Shibly, and Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman.
