Against all odds: The blind brush-seller who braved Dhaka's streets for livelihood
For the last 24 years, Md Nuralam has been selling toothbrushes in the maddening Dhaka streets despite his blindness
It was a stormy noon in Tejgaon, the relentless downpour soaking the streets of Dhaka. People scrambled to find shelter, and many took refuge in a small police box near the Tibet intersection. Amid the chaos, one man remained outside in the heavy rain, a blind man, standing alone and drenched to the bone.
But what seemed like sheer neglect of his own well-being was in fact a demonstration of his unwavering commitment to his livelihood.
Clutched tightly in his hands were toothbrushes, his only source of income, and he wasn't about to let the rain ruin them. As the storm continued, he stood there, unbothered by the torrent of water drenching him, his focus solely on protecting the brushes. Moments later, shivering and soaked, he joined the others under the shelter.
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His determination caught the eye of a curious bystander, who couldn't help but ask why he had let himself get so wet. With a humble smile, the blind man replied, "These brushes are my only livelihood. I can't let them be ruined by the rain."
The crowd fell silent, a wave of empathy washing over them as they realised the magnitude of his resilience. A blind man, vulnerable and facing unimaginable hardships, was selling brushes at one of Dhaka's busiest intersections, a place notorious for its chaotic traffic. Despite his blindness and the challenges that came with it, he braved the odds every single day to make an honest living.
A journey from Nilphamari to Dhaka
Md Nuralam, now in his early 40s, hails from Nilphamari, a district in northern Bangladesh. Born in 1982, Nuralam lost his vision in 1996 at the age of 14 due to an illness. Loss of his eyesight compounded the trauma of the untimely death of his father in 1984, leaving his mother and elder brother to care for the family.
As the youngest of three brothers, Nuralam watched his mother and elder brother work tirelessly to provide for the family. His elder brother assumed the role of the head of the household, supporting the family and ensuring their survival.
With the support of his mother and elder brother, Nuralam navigated life's challenges, despite the limitations brought on by his blindness. After marrying and starting his own family, he moved to Dhaka in search of a better life, eventually settling in the same spot at the Tibet intersection.
For the last 24 years, he has been selling brushes to make a living, braving the busy streets of Dhaka's teeming metropolis every day.
"I don't have any other choice," Nuralam said, his voice steady despite the years of hardship. "This is the work I've been doing for so long. It's hard, but it's all I know."
A family to support and the burden of low income
Nuralam's family is his greatest motivation. He is married and has three children: two daughters and a son. His eldest daughter, who turned 10 in 2024, is the apple of his eye, followed by his 4-year-old daughter and a 1-year-old son. His wife, a service holder, plays a crucial role in supporting the family financially, but Nuralam's income from selling brushes is still insufficient to meet their needs.
"I work every day, but my income is very low," Nuralam shared. "It's hard to make ends meet. There are days when we barely have enough to eat. But I can't give up. My children are my future, and I have to do everything I can to provide for them."
The harsh reality of living in Dhaka, a city notorious for its relentless traffic and pollution, only adds to his daily struggles. Yet Nuralam continues to face life's challenges with unwavering resilience. His simple yet powerful commitment to shielding his brushes from the rain serves as a testament to his determination to make an honest living for his family, despite the overwhelming obstacles life has placed in his path.
'A shop of my own'
Upon asking why he started his business at such a risky place, Nuralam replied with a sense of quiet determination, "Starting a business in such a risky field could seem irrational," he explained, "but it didn't require heavy investment or space. My limited funds left me no other choice."
Despite his blindness, he prides himself on his ability to distinguish between different brushes by touch alone and accurately identify currency by feel. His unshakeable trust in humanity has rarely betrayed him.
Once earning between Tk15,000 and Tk20,000 a month, economic shifts have now halved his income, plunging him into financial hardship. Yet his resolve remains firm, driven by a love for his family. Married since 2011, his wife has been his anchor. "Despite my blindness, she agreed to marry me because of our bond and shared values," he shared, his voice tinged with gratitude.
His family, including three young children, is the centre of his world. Though his wife's salary is higher, he works tirelessly to contribute, even as mounting expenses, including Tk17,500 in rent, stretch their finances thin. "I came to Dhaka out of necessity," he recalled, "but now I plan to leave. The city no longer offers the opportunities it once did, and costs are unbearable."
"I studied until secondary school but couldn't continue due to circumstances," he reflects quietly. "My blindness came from typhoid. I consulted doctors everywhere—Chennai, Vellore, Kolkata—but nothing helped. Despite all this, I am grateful for my wife's love and support, and I cherish her deeply. People say she is beautiful, and I can attest to that, even though I can only imagine her appearance."
And now, with his hard-earned savings, Nuralam has bought a small shop—a symbol of the future he envisions, one where his family will no longer have to live on the edge. "I've bought a shop and plan to run my business there. In a month, I will leave Dhaka for good."
