Joj Miah caught a lot of the spotlight in the turn of events after the August 21 grenade attack on the Awami League rally.
The mere pawn in a complex political game, however, has hardly seen his life taking any positive turn in the recent years.
Originally a resident of the Senbagh upazila in Noakhali, Joj Miah has been struggling with live along with his mother, sister and other family members in a small rented house in the capital.
His 70-year-old ailing mother Zobeda Khatun has been slowly heading towards the inevitable because he does not have the money. Neither can he get his spinster sister Khorsheda Akhter married.
Joj Miah, who now works for a private satellite television channel for a meagre monthly salary of Tk3,500, has been looking for a better job.
“Every year when August 21 comes, journalists and all kinds of people suddenly remember my brother and contact us for interviews. As the occasion fades, everyone forgets about us,” said Khorsheda in a voice trembling in exasperation.
She said they had talked a lot with the media and the human rights bodies, but nothing more than interviews ever happened to them.
“Hundreds of people come and show sympathy. Everybody knows our condition; but is there no one who can give my brother a job so that we can live a decent life,” Khorsheda said.
In reply to a query, she said: “We met many people from the ruling Awami League and the government for a job. But they all gave us the same advice wait till the case is settled. Who knows when the trial will end?”
She said others had different excuses. “Joj Miah has no academic qualification. So, how could we possible arrange a job for him? Now you tell me: what shall we do?”
