A mayor apart
Locals say Chuadanga Municipality Mayor Jipu Chowdhury is serving the people when other local politicians remain inactive during the crisis
Mayor Obydur Rahman Chowdhury Jipu makes a round of the key points of the municipality in the morning on his bicycle. He carries with him hand sanitizers and face masks.
The mayor would give a mask for free if someone is found roaming around without covering the face and distributes hand sanitizing items.
He then paddles to his municipality office.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
This is how Chuadanga Municipality Mayor Obydur Rahman Chowdhury Jipu, locally known as Jipu Chowdhury, begins his day. The mayor, also the convener of district Swechchhasebak League, has already won the hearts of the people as a young politician.
Locals say Jipu Chowdhury is serving the people when other politicians of Chuadanga are almost absent during the crisis period.
After arriving at his office, the mayor goes out for anti-mosquito drives. He visits the wards flanked by Chhatra League and Swechchhasebak League activists and spay insecticides of his own.
He then begins his official works. The mayor gets busy in relief operation in the evening. He distributes cooked meals among the homeless people until late in the night this Ramadan.
He conducted relief operations late in the night on April 29 and reaped paddy on nearly three bighas of land for free the next dawn.
Local farmer Laltu Mia said he was in trouble with the ripe paddy as there was a farm worker shortage. "The mayor reaped the paddy for free. Now I can get the crops in," he expressed his gratitude.
Jipu Chowdhury said he was trying to do something for the people since the country reported maiden coronavirus cases. "I spray disinfectant solution twice a day, conduct awareness campaign and distribute hand sanitizers," he said.
Chuadanga city dweller Abdullah Al Mamun said the mayor has successfully controlled the mosquito menace. "The mosquito issue was severe which has been almost dissolved. Regular cleanliness drives are expected to yield more success."
Municipality sources have said a list has been prepared of 19,000 lower and middle-class people of Chuadanga town. The ongoing relief operation has already covered nearly 6,500 people of the total.
"I provide the jobless people with relief goods at their home. My target is to protect everyone so that none in this town starve," said the mayor.
He said, "I am proud to be able to reach the people during this crisis. I am providing the marginalized people with reliefs at their home so that no irregularity takes place."
Joint General Secretary of Chuadanga Chhatra League Hussain Jacky said, "We assist the mayor during the relief operations."
Chuadanga municipality dweller Masud Rana said the mayor himself was serving people at their home. Therefore, they do not need to rush for relief goods.
Ward councillor Munshi Rejaul Karim Khokon said the mayor was very sincere since he got elected. "He is now working with each ward separately to tackle virus spread."
Civil society platform Sushasoner Jonno Nagorik (Sujan) Chuadanga district President Siddikur Rahman said that the municipality relief committee was transparent in relief distribution.
"Jipu Chowdhury is working for the people alone while other representatives are inactive during the virus pandemic. He is young and active in his duty," added Siddikur.
