A small house surrounded by polythene fence. In the next land, the head nest is made with bamboo, wood and polythene fence. Cold winter air and rainwater constantly enter the house. There is no electricity. This is how a helpless and childless family is living in Chargangapur village of Borhanuddin upazila of Bhola. The head of this family is Jalal Ahmad. She is popularly known as Jalu Mia. His daily occupation is to beg on horseback. He begged from one area to another to provide two meals a day.
Jalu Mia said that he once worked in Lakshan Das's circus. There he taught horsemanship. From that time, he developed an affinity with horses. Worked for five years. He ran away and came here because he was not getting paid properly. After that, he bought this hobby horse for 15 thousand rupees from the sale of cows. And thus begins the chapter of begging on horseback.
Jalu Mia said, 'I don't have the strength to do anything else. Can't even walk properly due to age and physical problems. I have to go far and beg. I can't even walk to beg. So I bought a horse. I beg on this horse.'
Jalu Mia's living room
Every morning Jalu Mia goes out to beg with her beloved horse and a plastic bag slung over her shoulder. He went to seek livelihood in a world of poverty. Many gave him rice and money. He returned home after buying food for the horses from the market with the alms rice and money collected throughout the day. Besides, he also paid the balance due in various shops. This is how Jalu Mia is living with his wife.
Jalu Mia said, 'I have no one in this world to call my own. Relatives who are there do not inquire. I have not received any government assistance so far. I am living with the kindness and mercy of the common people of the area. Maybe this is my destiny. No leaf moves except by Allah's will. Maybe he wants me to run the family by begging. So I accepted everything even though it was difficult.'
Chargangapur village autorickshaw driver Shah Alam said, this man (Jalu Mia) is very helpless. Begging in different areas on horseback. He has no land of his own. How many people have been given land and houses by the government. If Jalu Mia had got a house like that, maybe she wouldn't have to think about the place to hide her head.
Neighbor Emon said, Jalu Mia is a simple person. What he gets by begging does not support his family properly. Relatives don't even look for her. We locals want Jalu Mia to have a permanent address and employment. So that he can emerge from a life of charity and kindness to people.
Jalu Mia said, 'Many people have made various promises to me like getting a house when they came to record the video of begging on horseback. But, I still haven't found that house. I know I will never get a house. After this, I dream of a house and a good life. My only request to the government is to give me the house given by the Prime Minister. Then my dream will come true.'