In the 1990s, Fatema Aktar Tania used to come to the University campus area as a young child to gather wood for her family's fire stove. Living in Kamrangir Char, across the Buriganga River, she still resides in the same area and holds fond memories of her early days.
One significant incident from her past stands out—Professor Jamal Uddin Ahmed, from the Department of Drawing and Painting, noticed her and asked her to sit on a bench. He skillfully crafted earthen dolls in her likeness and rewarded her with Tk10 for her time and contribution.
With that modest amount, Tania commenced her career as a fine art model. Over the next 32 years, she dedicated herself to posing for art students, teachers, and even served as an exam hall figure model. A memorable experience for her was when the actress Bipasha Hayat, who was a former student of the faculty, painted her. Tania took pride in the fact that she had provided the sitting for the painting.
Tania spoke highly of Bipasha Hayat, recounting how the actress treated her with kindness and hospitality. Bipasha had taken her to her home and studio, driving her in her own car and ensuring she was well-fed. The bond between them was evidently strong, and when the painting was completed, Bipasha's car brought Tania back home.
In 2012, Tania's dedication and contribution led to her appointment as a permanent model for the Department of Oriental Art. Her compensation is based on a daily wage, and she receives payment only on the days she poses for the artists. Currently earning Tk475 per day, she gladly embraces the challenges of maintaining a pose for extended hours without moving, understanding the demands of her profession.
Tania's passion for modeling and her ability to endure the rigors of the job make her appreciate the artistry involved in capturing her form on canvas.
One significant incident from her past stands out—Professor Jamal Uddin Ahmed, from the Department of Drawing and Painting, noticed her and asked her to sit on a bench. He skillfully crafted earthen dolls in her likeness and rewarded her with Tk10 for her time and contribution.
With that modest amount, Tania commenced her career as a fine art model. Over the next 32 years, she dedicated herself to posing for art students, teachers, and even served as an exam hall figure model. A memorable experience for her was when the actress Bipasha Hayat, who was a former student of the faculty, painted her. Tania took pride in the fact that she had provided the sitting for the painting.
Tania spoke highly of Bipasha Hayat, recounting how the actress treated her with kindness and hospitality. Bipasha had taken her to her home and studio, driving her in her own car and ensuring she was well-fed. The bond between them was evidently strong, and when the painting was completed, Bipasha's car brought Tania back home.
In 2012, Tania's dedication and contribution led to her appointment as a permanent model for the Department of Oriental Art. Her compensation is based on a daily wage, and she receives payment only on the days she poses for the artists. Currently earning Tk475 per day, she gladly embraces the challenges of maintaining a pose for extended hours without moving, understanding the demands of her profession.
Tania's passion for modeling and her ability to endure the rigors of the job make her appreciate the artistry involved in capturing her form on canvas.
"I spend most of my time alone at home. While my friends have left for Dhaka to earn a living as there are no job opportunities in our village Panchashi, I help my parents on our farmland. Though I lack companionship, I have found solace in bodybuilding. I devote my days to farming and my evenings to my makeshift gym, made from old farm equipment. It's my way of finding joy and purpose in the absence of friends, and I am fully committed to this pursuit." Arif from Jamalpur.
"I have never been framed in a DSLR camera. Can you please take my photo in this pose?" After watching my camera Nayeem, a madrasha student came to near me and asked. He was traveling to his madrasha at Rampura, Dhaka from his hometown Bhandaria.
The launch was running through the Kocha river and the sun was setting. Then he made a heart shape with his hands and the sun was peeking through the heart.
The launch was running through the Kocha river and the sun was setting. Then he made a heart shape with his hands and the sun was peeking through the heart.
"When my mother was suffering from heart problems, she realized that her death was imminent and told me not to go to the relatives we have after my death. As my mother said, after her death I did not leave Dhaka city to go my relatives in Noakhali." Said Jihad, an orphan who lost his father before his birth and lost his mother just eleventh months ago.
He doesn't have any siblings so at this age of 15, he's all by himself in this city. His parents could not leave any money for him. His financial situation is so bad that he collects used plastic bottle every day and sells it at Tk 20 per kg to feed her twice in a day. Currently he lives in besides railway near Tejgaon, Dhaka.
After asking this question, how are you spending your days in such difficulty?
He said, "Fate will be the way it is bacause all things are God's will. Like It was my fate to meet you today. I eat twice a day, pray five times and sleep. Now there is no fear of losing anything. But I have a hobby that's travelling. Specially by train because this is very ejoyable also no money is needed to travel on the roof of the train. I already visited many districts of our country including Mymensingh, Gazipur, Chittagong, Cox's Bazar and many more. Recently i am thinking to go to Cox's Bazar. Beacuse i love sea. If I can raise some money, I will get on the train to Chittagong for Cox's Bazar."
He doesn't have any siblings so at this age of 15, he's all by himself in this city. His parents could not leave any money for him. His financial situation is so bad that he collects used plastic bottle every day and sells it at Tk 20 per kg to feed her twice in a day. Currently he lives in besides railway near Tejgaon, Dhaka.
After asking this question, how are you spending your days in such difficulty?
He said, "Fate will be the way it is bacause all things are God's will. Like It was my fate to meet you today. I eat twice a day, pray five times and sleep. Now there is no fear of losing anything. But I have a hobby that's travelling. Specially by train because this is very ejoyable also no money is needed to travel on the roof of the train. I already visited many districts of our country including Mymensingh, Gazipur, Chittagong, Cox's Bazar and many more. Recently i am thinking to go to Cox's Bazar. Beacuse i love sea. If I can raise some money, I will get on the train to Chittagong for Cox's Bazar."
"I can go to school if I want, but I don't like to study, I just like to spend time in sports and other ways, so after finishing second grade, my parents put the burden of candy floss business on my shoulders", said Hasan.
Hasan is a 15 years old boy from one of the southern districts of Bangladesh Bhola but he has been living Dhaka since his birth. His parents came to dhaka to change their fate before his birth and now they can enough stable. Hasan said his parents and they four siblings can spend a very good life without any financial problem. But he don't like to go school and learn that's why his parents give him this business responsibility and he is doing it for last 5 years. He makes candy floss and sells these at different places of dhaka from noon to evening and earn 200-250 tk daily.
Hasan also said, "this business has been my addiction and now I don't have any attention on other things and at first my parents forced me to go to school but now they are also happy to see that i am doing good on this business."
Hasan is a 15 years old boy from one of the southern districts of Bangladesh Bhola but he has been living Dhaka since his birth. His parents came to dhaka to change their fate before his birth and now they can enough stable. Hasan said his parents and they four siblings can spend a very good life without any financial problem. But he don't like to go school and learn that's why his parents give him this business responsibility and he is doing it for last 5 years. He makes candy floss and sells these at different places of dhaka from noon to evening and earn 200-250 tk daily.
Hasan also said, "this business has been my addiction and now I don't have any attention on other things and at first my parents forced me to go to school but now they are also happy to see that i am doing good on this business."
It was 1974 when Niruja Begum came to Dhaka and started this small business, through this business she supported her family and raised her child. But even then she was not released from work at this age. This year marks the 47th anniversary of her business.
June, 2021.
June, 2021.
"My parents divorced when I was 6/7 years old. Nothing in my life has been the same since" said Manik, a 16-year-old boy who has been carrying the burden of bringing home the bacon every day for years on his tender shoulders.
The obstacles in his path may have been the size of an ocean, but with his unwavering courage and determination, he has emerged victorious in every war that fate has thrown at him with no mercy.
Manik said, we were a family of 6 members me,my parents and siblings.My mother was a housemaid from the beginning (from before the devorce) beacuse of the family economic situation was below the poverty line.But after the divorce, it became very difficult for my mother to run the family alone and we started living with under a great economic and emotional stress.
"Manik added, I am the eldest son of my family so i have no way except this candy floss business. After passing class three i stepped down the outside world with it. May be I won't be able to seat for school again. Every morning i make these candy floss with my own hand and from noon to evening i sell these in different places of Dhaka. Now i can earn 200-250tk daily.
He concluded, the thing that gives me the most encouragement and strength is that now I have been able to alleviate my mother's suffering at least a little bit and bring some financial prosperity to my family.
The obstacles in his path may have been the size of an ocean, but with his unwavering courage and determination, he has emerged victorious in every war that fate has thrown at him with no mercy.
Manik said, we were a family of 6 members me,my parents and siblings.My mother was a housemaid from the beginning (from before the devorce) beacuse of the family economic situation was below the poverty line.But after the divorce, it became very difficult for my mother to run the family alone and we started living with under a great economic and emotional stress.
"Manik added, I am the eldest son of my family so i have no way except this candy floss business. After passing class three i stepped down the outside world with it. May be I won't be able to seat for school again. Every morning i make these candy floss with my own hand and from noon to evening i sell these in different places of Dhaka. Now i can earn 200-250tk daily.
He concluded, the thing that gives me the most encouragement and strength is that now I have been able to alleviate my mother's suffering at least a little bit and bring some financial prosperity to my family.
We all know that water is another name of life.Human survives by drinking water and using it in various ways in his daily life.We can't even think passing one day without water.At present people are making a living by selling waters whose name is Mineral Water.
Eight years old boy Naeem is a mineral water seller.He sells mineral water every afternoon to night with his farher at Manik Mia Avenue,Dhaka.Also he is student of class one.While other children of his age are sitting at home,doing online classes, playing games and watching cartoons, Naeem has gone into the business of selling water to solve his family's financial problem.In 2020, he came to Dhaka with his family from his home district Brahmanbaria.A small family of parents and two sisters and brother. But economic problems persist.He can sell about 50 bottles of water or sometimes more in a day and earns 250 to 300tk a day. One of his beautiful qualities is that he can attract buyers by speaking in a very beautiful way.But sometimes he also forces people to buy the water bottle with his restlessness.The amazing thing is that at this young age he has understood a big thing like business.Whatever it is big or small.
Manik Mia Avenue,Dhaka,2021.
Eight years old boy Naeem is a mineral water seller.He sells mineral water every afternoon to night with his farher at Manik Mia Avenue,Dhaka.Also he is student of class one.While other children of his age are sitting at home,doing online classes, playing games and watching cartoons, Naeem has gone into the business of selling water to solve his family's financial problem.In 2020, he came to Dhaka with his family from his home district Brahmanbaria.A small family of parents and two sisters and brother. But economic problems persist.He can sell about 50 bottles of water or sometimes more in a day and earns 250 to 300tk a day. One of his beautiful qualities is that he can attract buyers by speaking in a very beautiful way.But sometimes he also forces people to buy the water bottle with his restlessness.The amazing thing is that at this young age he has understood a big thing like business.Whatever it is big or small.
Manik Mia Avenue,Dhaka,2021.
Mir Mahbub Alam is an extraordinary flutist and flute teacher. He also makes flutes and sells them. He is from Ishwarganj upazila of Mymensingh district. At present he lives in Nakhalpara, Dhaka and completes all his activities there. Mir Mahbub Alam came to Dhaka in 1993 after completing his SSC examination. Playing the flute is his passion and he has chosen that passion as his profession.For the last 17 years he has been doing this job. Every Friday he is seen playing and selling the flute at Chandrima Udyan,Dhaka.
He also has a YouTube channel:
https://youtube.com/channel/UC_7QRDF08y4CTpEKpmNSUmw.
He also has a YouTube channel:
https://youtube.com/channel/UC_7QRDF08y4CTpEKpmNSUmw.
This is sadia or CID Akhter Sadia as she loves to call herself."Guli kinbo ar CID hobo" is her current future ambition.She is a bit mysterious,a potential prodigy,and a little different from other children her age.She enjoys her own company,and you will often catch her laughing at her own jokes.She sadly doesn't know her age but may be she is between 3-6.She also belongs to an abusive household and her parents are never around.Sadia works at someone's place washing dishes to support her family and attends her classes at FortuneAID over here by sneaking out.
Mohammad Raju is a 12 years old candy floss seller.He is from Dhobaura upazila of Mymensingh but currently living with his family in Agargaon,Dhaka.He is the second of four siblings.His father is a rickshaw puller.So the family's financial problems persist.That's why Raju put off the school bag and took the candy floss on his shoulder.He makes candy floss with his own hands every day and sells them in different areas of Dhaka.Every day he can sell about 50 packets and sometimes more.At the end of the day he earns only 200-250 tk.
Tuhin a 12 years old boy from Dohar,Dhaka,Bangladesh.Currently he lives with his parents at Tejgaon,Dhaka.He is a student of class three.But unfortunately he need to joined with his parents in the fight to overcome the economic problems of the family.Every day from afternoon to night he earns by his horse at beside the area of the National Parliament House.People rode around with his horse and took pictures.Thus he gets 50 taka per person. He earns 300 to 400 taka per day and sometimes his income is less than that.
But the sad thing is that he has to feed his horse 200 to 250 taka every day.
Dhaka,2020.
But the sad thing is that he has to feed his horse 200 to 250 taka every day.
Dhaka,2020.