One-handed typist of Lalmonirhat

A physical challenged man, despite having only one hand, is working as a typist at Weekly Lalmonirhat Barta, a local newspaper. To everyone's surprise, he is very fast in typing compared to his peers. He earns a meager wage with which he supports his poor family. Farooque Hossain, 44, son of Khayrat Hossain and Fatema Begum resides at Khochabari Nazrultari village in Lalmonirhat sadar upazila. He is the youngest of four siblings, and he got married to Janufa Begum of Durakuti village in Lalmonirhat sadar upazila two years back. He obtained first division in SSC result from Gias Uddin High School in 1990, second division in HSC from Lalmonirhat Government College in 1992 and second division in BA from Kaliganj Karim Uddin Public Degree College in 1995.

"After completing my BA degree I started searching for a job, but I didn't go for higher education since my family couldn't afford it. I failed to get any government job for 10 years. I went to Dhaka, and joined the circulation department of the Daily Janata," Farooque said. "I had to come back home due to salary issues about four years back, and I engaged myself as tutor in Lalmonirhat town. I couldn't continue teaching due to my disability," he added.

After being trained on how to use a computer he got a temporary job as a typist in the Weekly Lalmonirhat Barta, a local newspaper at Stadium Road in the town a year back, and he is working here at the wage Tk 1,500 per month. "Me and my family members never get a proper meal on any day as my income is just too low," Farooque said, adding he wants to do something better but he does not have any other opportunity.

Mahfuz Sazu, the joint news editor of the newspaper said that Farooque is very sincere in his work and he never slacks off. "The man is fast and accurate as a one-handed typist, where other normal type operators are slower and their work has many errors," he said, adding that Farooque will do better if he gets an opportunity.

The editor of the newspaper Weekly Lalmonirhat Barta, Shafiqul Islam said that the newspaper makes very little money, so he cannot provide a better salary to his staff. He has a target to pay better salary in the future. "The physically challenged Farooque got the job here when he was unemployed and totally frustrated," the editor said assuring the man is knowledgeable about IT.

Farooque's parents said that their son tries his best to take care of his family. Except the homestead they have no assets, so they can't support their son to start a business.