Tanor (Rajshahi) Correspondent:
Despite her triumph over poverty and gaining admission to a medical college, Mahmuda Khatun, a talented student from Tanor Upazila of Rajshahi, is now facing financial uncertainty in her path to higher education. She and her family are spending their days in worry as they are unable to afford the necessary books, educational materials and hostel expenses.
Mahmuda Khatun’s home is in Krishnapur village of Panchandar Union in Tanor Upazila. Her father Masud Rana is a small tea seller and her mother Sayera Bibi is a housewife. Mahmuda is the elder of two daughters. Her younger sister Mim Khatun is a sixth-grade student at a local school.
Mahmuda achieved a Golden GPA-5 in the SSC examination from Krishnapur High School in 2023 and a Golden GPA-5 in the HSC examination from Krishnapur Adarsh Mohila Degree College in 2025. She recently got the opportunity to get admitted to Jamalpur Medical College.
Mahmuda’s father Masud Rana said that his daughter had a strong interest in education since childhood. Due to the family’s financial crisis, she never had the opportunity to study privately. However, due to her daughter’s talent and perseverance, she got the opportunity to study medicine today.
He said, “I sell tea in a small shop in the village. I earn 400 to 500 taka every day. It is difficult to run the family with this income. It cost 13 thousand taka to get admitted to the medical school, which I also borrowed. Now I need about 20 thousand taka to buy books and about 40 thousand taka to buy a skeleton. It is impossible for me to raise this much money.”
He also said that 12 to 15 thousand taka will be required every month for hostel and other educational expenses.
Mahmuda’s mother, Sayera Bibi, said in a tearful voice, “We have no land or assets. We live in a mud and fenced house on just two hundred acres of land. The girl grew up in poverty. She prays five times a day and always prays to Allah to become a doctor and serve the poor.”
She sought the cooperation of the government as well as the wealthy and capable people of the society.
Mahmuda Khatun said, “First-year classes at the medical college have started. I moved into the hostel a week ago. I am having problems studying because I do not have my own books. The college authorities asked me to buy a skeleton, but my father could not afford it.”
Local resident and Mundumala Municipality employee Helal Uddin said, “Mahmuda has grown up struggling with poverty since childhood. Many times she has studied by borrowing other people’s books. Her father sells tea and also works as a daily wage laborer. Everyone in society should stand by such a talented student.”
In this regard, Naima Khan, the Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) of Tanor, said, “I was not aware of Mahmuda’s admission to Medical College. It is a matter of pride not only for his family but also for the entire Tanor Upazila to get admitted to medical school from such a family. After receiving the necessary documents, we will discuss with the District Administrator and try to arrange some financial assistance. In addition, the wealthy people of the society should also come forward.”
Mahmuda Khatun, who has been moving forward with talent, perseverance and dreams, is now waiting for a helping hand. If she does not receive timely support, her dream of becoming a doctor may be stopped due to lack of money, which could one day become a light of hope for medical services for thousands of helpless people.