When 18-year-old Sharmin Sultana was on her way to Government Kabi Nazrul College four months ago, excited about taking the next big step towards her dream, she had little idea about what horror was awaiting her.
On February 22, amid the nationwide blockade and hartal programme imposed by the BNP-led 20-party alliance, Sharmin along with her mother Rima Begum had gone to the college at Lakshmibazar in Old Dhaka for admission in a bachelor’s course.
But a sudden crude bomb attack in front of the college’s entrance severely injured Sharmin and landed her on a bed at the burn institute of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), where she has been undergoing treatment since then.
“I was supposed to be enjoying my undergraduate life. My friends are happily attending classes, but I cannot even go to the bathroom without help,” said a teary-eyed Sharmin.
Splinters from the crude bomb blast left deep wounds in Sharmin’s abdomen. In the past four months, she has had to go through three surgeries. After the first surgery, her wounds got infected, requiring a second surgery. After the third surgery, she is finally showing signs of recovery. Her mother, fortunately, received only minor injuries and has recovered.
Talking to the Dhaka Tribune recently, Sharmin said she had always had big dreams. “My father, Shahidul Islam, is a tailor master. We live in Sadarghat area. Being the elder child in the family, I have always dreamed of finishing higher education and getting a good job to support my family.” She wants to study accounting and work in a bank.
“But as fate would have it, I am lying on this hospital bed instead of going to college.”
She said her friends, who are well into their first year in college, visit her sometimes and tell her stories.
“Hearing them, I feel I am living in hell. It hurts me that I cannot join them. When I was a child, I was told that bad things happen to people who do bad things. I cannot remember what I have done in my life to deserve the state I am in,” said a disgruntled Sharmin.
“I just want a second chance at achieving my dream. I want to finish my studies and become a banker.”
Sharmin’s grandmother Josna Begum was sitting beside her at the time. She said Sharmin’s mother used to stay with her in the hospital, but now that she’s recovering, Rima goes back home at night to look after her younger child, Sharmin’s brother.
The Dhaka Tribune talked to Dr Hedayat Ali Khan at the burn institute about Sharmin’s progress. “There were some complications initially, but she is responding to the treatment well. We will perform another surgery in a few weeks, after which we hope we will be able to discharge her,” he said.