Three brothers sit at mother's grave with plates, crying for food in hunger

A heartbreaking scene of human suffering has emerged in Dasnagar village of Chadkathi, Dhulia union in Bauphal upazila, Patuakhali. Three brothers with special needs, who have lost both parents, often sit by their mother's grave holding plates of food, as if begging their deceased mother for a meal.

The three brothers — Rippon Das, Sadhan Das and Nidu Das — live a miserable life in a dilapidated tin shed. Sadhan is visually impaired, while Rippon and Nidu are speech and intellectually disabled. They cannot express their needs or suffering properly.

According to locals, after the death of the family's sole earning member, Ratan Chandra Das, last year, their mother Saraswati Rani took on the responsibility of the family. Despite suffering from liver and kidney complications, she cared for her three sons. But when she also passed away last month, the three brothers became completely helpless.

Whenever hunger strikes, the three brothers take their plates and sit by their mother's grave in the yard. This scene is often witnessed and moves locals to tears.

Neighbour Sanchita Pal said they manage one meal a day and often go hungry for the other two. "We help as much as we can, but it's not always possible. Wealthy people in society should come forward."

The family has five siblings. The eldest sister left for India long ago. Another brother works as a day labourer but struggles to run his own household and cannot take responsibility for the three disabled brothers.

Bauphal Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Saleh Ahmed said the upazila administration has provided 50 kg of rice and Tk 10,000 in assistance to the three brothers. Plans are also in place to arrange employment for the able-bodied brother.

Locals have demanded permanent arrangements for food, medical care and rehabilitation for the three brothers, urging affluent individuals, public representatives and humanitarian organisations to come forward.