We talk, discuss, listen, read and write a lot about world politics while we all know we can’t change or even influence many of the political events happening around us. We feel obliged to discuss at length what Obama, Sarkozy, Cameron, Gillard, Merkel, Karzai, Zardari or Manmohan have said or posed. But we rarely devote some of our time for some real people – people who are brave enough to stand and fight against all odds.
Ms Akther has now enrolled for her exam in April. Who is this Akther? She is the one whose right hand fingers were chopped off by her husband as punishment for disobedience. Her husband, Rafiq-ul-Islam, a Bangladeshi worker, was out in Gulf for employment for last three years (he departed to Gulf soon after their marriage) and during this period Akther persuaded her studies while staying at her parents’ home.
When Rafiq came to know of her studies, he used to threaten her on phone of dire consequences. Last December, Rafiq’s family members called Akther to visit their home to receive a gift her husband has sent from Gulf.
There all of a sudden Rafiq appeared from nowhere, tied her up, blindfolded and chopped her right hand fingers. They were so cruel to the girl that they threw the chopped fingers in a bin, when retrieved after several hours it was too late for doctors to attach the same.
Akther shall be commended not to lose hope as she continues her studies. She is now fast learning how to use her left hand for daily chores. She will appear in her college exam in April wherein she may use a ‘writer’ to write the answer sheets for her.
Bravo, Akther!
MASOOD KHAN
Jubail, Saudi Arabia
