A haven for the elderly on banks of Buri Bhairab

Nestled in the quiet village of Samashpur in Jhenaidah's Kaliganj upazila, an elderly home offers a haven of compassion for elderly women who have been left without support or shelter.

Founded on ancestral land by Jyotsna Mukherjee, this refuge provides food, shelter and care free of charge to those with nowhere else to turn.

Despite its remote location, the home has become a beacon of hope and dignity, where residents find safety, warmth and companionship.

The institution sits on five bighas of land and was officially registered in 2014. Its main office is in Kaliganj town, where Jyotsna's family lives due to her father's business.

Jyotsna established the home on her ancestral property near the Buri Bhairab river in 2012. She said after completing her SSC in 1988, she was unable to continue her studies. In 1989, she migrated to India with her husband, leaving behind her in-laws and relatives. While in India, she regularly visited an old age home in Barrackpore, where she witnessed the suffering of dependent elderly people.

"It was then I decided that if given the chance, I would establish a similar home. I returned to Bangladesh in 1998 because of family obligations. My husband passed away in 2001. Encouraged by my father, who was a cancer patient at the time, I began my work in 2012," she said.

Initially, Jyotsna built two single-storey buildings with ten rooms, four bathrooms and two tube wells. She also set up a kitchen and provided a television for entertainment.

Photo: Star

The home organises visits during events such as Eid, Puja and the Baisakhi fair. The elderly women receive saris, blankets, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste and sweaters in winter. Medicines are also provided.

Occasionally, music sessions and games are arranged.

Jyotsna emphasised that she does not charge any fees.

Currently, 20 elderly women live at the home. Even if their relatives do not accept them after their death, 8.5 decimals of land have been allocated for their burial, she said.

Bishnu Priya, an 80-year-old resident, said she has lived there for 11 years and is very happy. "I do not want to be a burden to my daughter-in-law or son. Jyotsna takes care of us," she said.

Ambia Khatun, 65, said Jyotsna bears all the expenses and regularly checks on her health.

Hashem Ali, vice president of the old care home, said, "It is very difficult to manage such expenses without charging money. It is possible only if one is sincere. If someone wants to donate rice, she only accepts the rice. We need more generous people in our society."

Jyotsna said the home faces one major problem: the lack of a boundary wall. "If a generous individual or the government could arrange for a demarcation wall around the home, the safety of the residents would be ensured," she said.

Kaliganj Upazila Executive Officer Md Dedarul Islam said he had recently visited the home. "I praise the initiative. I will try to do something for them," he added.