Although the pain of losing her husband still lingers, Sumitra Rani Das had no choice but to move forward. To feed her three daughters, she picked up the oars of a ferry boat and has been ferrying passengers across the river every day for the past seven years. While time has eased some of her grief, the harsh reality of poverty continues to define her daily life.
Sumitra Rani Das is a resident of Raghunathpur village under Bahara Union No. 3 in Shalla Upazila of Sunamganj. Her husband, Sukhen Das, died about seven years ago after suffering from a serious illness. With his passing, the family’s only source of income disappeared overnight, leaving Sumitra solely responsible for supporting her three daughters.
Her eldest daughter is divorced and now lives with her mother. Today, the family’s only means of survival is the income Sumitra earns by operating the local ferry boat.
A visit to the Raghunathpur ferry ghat reveals her unwavering dedication. Every day, from 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., she ferries passengers across the river. Scorching heat, heavy rain, or strong winds rarely stop her. Missing even a single day of work often means there is no food to cook at home.
Despite the exhaustion visible on her face, Sumitra refuses to give up. Speaking with quiet determination, she said, “The government has provided me with a house and a small piece of land to live on, and I am grateful for that. But a house alone cannot feed a family. That is why I work from morning until night rowing the ferry. When storms or heavy rain prevent me from operating the boat, we sometimes have to go without food.”
She added, “I hope the government and generous members of society will extend their support to my family so that my three daughters and I can live with dignity.”
Local residents say Sumitra’s courage and determination are truly inspiring. Despite being a vulnerable woman facing enormous hardship, she has kept her family afloat through relentless hard work for seven years. They believe her struggle deserves more than admiration and that both affluent members of society and the relevant authorities should come forward to support her.
Time may have softened the sorrow of losing her husband, but poverty continues to cast a long shadow over Sumitra’s life. With every stroke of her oar, she writes another chapter in the remarkable story of a mother’s resilience, dignity, and unwavering fight for survival.
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