PM hands over land deed to Ramiza Khatun

By AKM Moinuddin and Sheikh Adnan Fahad

Dhaka, Jul 17 (UNB) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday formally handed over to Ramiza Khatun the deed of land that was registered in the name of Sheikh Hasina in 2003 by Ramiza’s husband.
While handing over the deed at Ganobhaban Saturday night, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina suddenly got emotional and hugged elderly Ramiza Khatun for a while.
“I can’t express how much happy I’m right now to return your land,” she said in an emotion-choked voice while hugging Ramiza Khatun.
The Prime Minister said she would build a house and a farm full of pet animals like cows, ducks and hens for Ramiza Khatun on the land. You’ve nothing to worry. I’m taking all your responsibilities.”
In reply, Ramiza Khatun told Hasina: “You’re my mother. I’ve no more expectations in life.”
The conversation between Prime Minister Hasina and Ramiza Khatun continued for few minutes while the two hugged each other.
Later, in her reaction, Hasina said: “Love of common people is my asset. Their love is my power. All my close relatives were killed in ‘75.”
She said her father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman worked all his life for the betterment of people.
Urging her party leaders and activities to work for people’s welfare, Hasina, also the Awami League President, said: “You can’t win people’s heart unless you concentrate on their welfare.”
The Prime Minister also asked her party leaders and workers to shun the path of mere pecuniary gain and devote to dedicate their political activities for the welfare of the people.
Industries Minister Dilip Barua, AL presidium member Kazi Jafrullah, Prime minister's press secretary Abul Kalam Azad, ambassador at-large M Ziauddin and BSMMU vice-chancellor Prof Dr Pran Gopal Datta were present on the occasion.
The new Bangla daily Kaler Kantho on June 2 published a front-page story that Ramiza Khatun's late husband, Hashmat Ali, who used to be a van driver, bought a piece of land in 2003 and registered the land in the name of Sheikh Hasina.
Ramiza Khatun, who scrapes a living by begging on the city streets, came to meet Hasina at the Prime Minister's office (PMO) following the news story in the Bangla daily.
According to the Kaler Kantho report, Hashmat Ali through his hard-earned money bought 6.45 decimal of land on February 22, 2003 at Kharua Barail village of Rawna Union in Gafargaon upazila of Mymensingh district.
Hashmat, who died at the age of 80 in 2004, bought the land for Sheikh Hasina as he used to think of Hasina “an orphan” after the tragic killing of her father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and mother Fazilatunnesa Mujib, along with most of her other family members, on August 15, 1975.
After Bangabandhu's death, Hashmat Ali and Ramiza Khatun came to the capital and started to live in Agargaon slum.
The news story of the Bangla daily also mentioned that Ramiza is now suffering from various complicated diseases and old age complications.
Soon after reading the news report, the Prime Minister directed her officials to ensure modern treatment for Ramiza. From then onwards, Ramiza has been undergoing treatment at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Hospital.
END/UNB/SAF/AMK/