7:27 AM
Maksuda
Acid terrorism has become a common phenomenon in Bangladesh.
Observing the woes of acid victims, Ali Idris, a sensitive writer, could
not remain idle, as a mute spectator. He turned his pen into a mighty
weapon to fight the social evil and ended up writing a fictional account
titled, "Torol Agune Pora". As a conscious writer, Idris has
undertaken a noble effort to create mass awareness against acid
violence in order to establish a society free from acid terrorism. "Torol Agune Pora"
is his second novel, a pathetic story of a teenaged girl. Although the
story is based on hard reality, all of its characters are imaginary
through whom he has successfully depicted the woes of acid victims. Idris,
who is also a columnist, has dedicated the novel to Acid Survivors
Foundation, Prothom Alo and all other organizations and individuals who
have come forward to eliminate acid terrorism by lending all-out support
to its victims.
In "Torol Agune Pora", the writer has
depicted the story of inhuman atrocity inflicted upon numerous victims,
mainly girls and women, causing irreparable damage to their lives. Acid
throwing is a horrible crime, unpardonable and a severely punishable
act. The crime is being committed in our country by the likes of those
who have for long usually gone unpunished due to loopholes in legal
procedures. As a consequence, the crime is being committed unabated, turning the lives of victims into a nightmare. Acid Victims Recovery (AVR) is the lone organisation which provides
shelter, treatment and patronisation to the victims of acid violence.
In
the novel, Nilu, a schoolgirl, falls prey to acid terrorism perpetrated
by her cousin because of her refusal to acknowledge his love. The
writer has described her agony, distress and intolerable woe in simple
but lucid language and has thereby touched hearts and awakened the
consciousness of people across society. The cruel, heinous act of the
acid thrower makes life for Nilu and her mother dreadful. She passes a
full day weeping without getting any treatment. Luckily for her, her
story is published in the media and draws the attention of an AVR worker
named Chandni. She rushes from Dhaka to Rajshahi and brings Nilu to
Dhaka for treatment. Nilu is admitted to a hospital in the capital.
Ultimately,
she is shifted to the Burn Unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital. The
writer portrays a horrifying scene there. Not only Nilu, but a large
number of victims as well wrapped in white bandage spend miserable days.
Most of them do not lose their eyesight; but as ill luck would have it
Nilu loses both her eyes. She struggles for life for a considerable
period and wins the battle. This is possible owing to the selfless
service of the kind-hearted Chandni. Later, AVR trains Nilu in the art
of reading through Braille. Subsequently, she embarks on teaching other
blind girls of the AVR centre.
The creative writing of the writer
is aimed at promoting the wellbeing and welfare of people. His appeal to
society has been depicted in his writing. He has accomplished his noble
task successfully by appealing to the government and other relevant
authorities as well as responsible people of society to play their due
role in stopping the brutality of acid throwers. Born in 1948
in Sayastanagar village in Habiganj district, Ali Idris began his
writing career in the 1970s. He has travelled widely. His other
published books are Khoai Nodir Bakey, Shakhinar Boli, Purbo Africae Aek
Jug, Markin Haoa and Geetidhara. Idris is vice-president of
Bangladesh Book Club, Dhaka, and Anjuman Mufidul Islam, Habiganj. He is
also treasurer of Habiganj Samity, Dhaka, and life member of Bangla
Academy, Dhaka, Jalalabad Samity, Dhaka and Habiganj Sahittya Parisad.
By Z.A.M. Khairuzzaman, Working Journalist at The Daily Star.
Source: The Daily Star, Bangladesh.
Posted in: Women Awareness
