Imam Sheikh, the 17-year-old who came to light after giving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her family members a tour on his rickshaw-van Friday, has been picked for a job in Bangladesh Air Force.
Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, the religious affairs secretary of the ruling Awami League, confirmed it to the Dhaka Tribune Sunday morning.
He said: “A three-member team of Bangladesh Air Force’s Bir Sreshtho Matiur Rahman Base, led by Squadron Leader Harun or Rashid, went to Imam’s house in the morning.
“They took him and his rickshaw-van with them to Jessore Air Force base, and will give him a job there.”
A regular rickshaw-van puller, Imam Sheikh was chosen by the premier’s officials to give them a ride for an hour in Tungipara on Friday. Hasina was accompanied by her nephew Radwan Mujib Siddiq, his wife and two children.
When the prime minister’s photo of riding the van went viral, media also highlighted Imam Sheikh.
The youth on Sunday expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister.
Meanwhile, the Air Force has donated Tk40,000 for his ailing father and renovation of their house. Besides, his rickshaw van has been taken to the museum.
Squadron Leader Harun or Rashid said: “We have handed over the appointment letter to Imam following instruction from higher authorities. And his van will be sent to the museum.”
Imam’s mother Shahnur Begum said: “We are grateful to the Prime Minister. God may bless her as she is working relentlessly for the welfare of the destitute.”
On Saturday, Imam told the Dhaka Tribune: “My father is mentally ill, and my mother is a housewife. I have three sisters – two are married and one is studying in Class IV. I have an elder brother who just got a job in Dhaka. I am currently the only earning member of the family”.
“I could not study past Class V because I had to take care of my family. I have been pulling this van for two years, but I do not want to keep doing this forever. I wanted to ask the prime minister for a job. But in the end, I could not because I was too excited to have met her,” Imam Sheikh added.
source: dhaka tribune
