Rangpur:Ekramul Haque, a 32-year-old resident of Dakshin Madhamodon village in Kawnia upazila, Rangpur, exemplifies courage and determination as he defies his physical disability to support his family of six. Despite having one leg nearly unusable and the other weak, Ekramul climbs trees daily to earn a living.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Ekramul's wife, Hasna Banu, shared that he was born with strong limbs but became disabled after a severe fever at age four. Despite his condition, he pursued education up to the fifth grade. Watching his peers climb trees, he converted his initial regret into a determination to learn tree climbing using only one leg. This skill has become essential for his livelihood.
Ekramul's father is visually impaired, and his sister is a widow, placing the responsibility of the family on his shoulders. Each day, armed with crutches, he undertakes the hazardous task of trimming tree branches, often moving from one tree to another at great risk. Hasna Banu noted the dangers of this work, especially given Ekramul's mobility challenges, describing it as a perilous task.
Despite the fear and danger, Ekramul remains steadfast, knowing a day without work means a day without food. Earning merely Tk 300 to Tk 400 a day, he recently returned to work immediately after an injury to continue providing for his family.
Ekramul wishes for a stable job to avoid risking his life. He hopes for assistance from the government or affluent individuals to secure his family's future. His father, Abdul Karim, expressed his anguish over his son's ordeal, highlighting the dire need for a stable income to relieve Ekramul from this life-threatening work.