From his father's funeral to the exam hall: Ekon's fight to keep going
He buried his father, worked the night shift, then sat for the HSC exam.
A day before his HSC examination, Ekon was not revising his lessons. He was attending his father's funeral.
After burying his father at their ancestral home in Gopalganj, the 18-year-old returned to Bagerhat last night (21 July) and reported for his shift at an ATM booth. This morning, he sat for his Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination.
Ekon, a student of the Khan Jahan Ali Degree College in Bagerhat, appeared for his Islamic History and Culture examination today.
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His father, Israfil Dariya, 45, a resident of Muniganj Medical School Road area in Bagerhat town, died in the early hours of yesterday after falling ill.
He left behind his wife and two sons -- Emon and Ekon. Israfil used to support the family by working as a motorcycle rider.
After the funeral prayer at Muniganj Dotalay Jame Mosque after Zuhr prayers, his body was taken to Gopalganj, where he was buried beside his mother's grave.
For Ekon, however, the family responsibilities did not stop with his father's death.
His elder brother Emon had earlier helped their father earn a living by working as a motorcycle rider. However, after suffering injuries in a road accident, he has been unable to work.
As a result, Ekon became the family's main source of income.
Alongside his studies, Ekon works night shifts at a Krishi Bank ATM booth on Rail Road in Bagerhat town to help support the family.
After his father's burial, he returned to his workplace that night and was seen on duty at the ATM booth around 10:00pm.
The following morning, he entered the examination hall for his HSC examination.
Ekon's story has drawn attention from locals, who praised his sense of responsibility and determination to continue his education despite the loss of his father and the responsibilities he now carries.
