Visually impaired Helal family sings again on open stage

Six days ago, visually impaired artist Helal Mia and her five children were stopped from singing due to the obstruction of madrasa students. However, they got the opportunity to sing again at the municipal open stage in the district town six days after that incident.

When they reached the open stage around 10am on Tuesday, the fans and audience welcomed them with applause. Helal Mia and her family expressed relief at being able to sing again. In their words, 'the uncertainty of livelihood has seemingly ended.'

Nine of the same family, including five sons and daughters, three grandchildren of Helal Mia are visually impaired. Helal Mia and her children had been singing at the municipal open stage for a long time with the financial support of the people.

Last Wednesday, madrasa students stopped from singing at the open stage during a protest march demanding the trial of Baul Abul Sarkar. This put them in an inhumane situation. When the matter was reported in various media outlets including View Bangladesh, there was a widespread reactions among people.

After the incident, former municipal mayor and former district BNP president Hafizur Rahman Kochi spoke to the authorities of Jamia Islamia Yunusia Madrasa in Brahmanbaria. After receiving their assurance, he asked Helal Mia to sing again on the open stage.

Former municipal mayor Hafizur Molla Kochi said that after the discussion, the madrasa authorities told the students that there should be no more problems in the future.

An emotional Helal Mia said: "Our family of 13, including 9 blind people, is able to survive by singing with everyone's help. I am grateful to BNP leaders Kochi Bhai, Zahir Bhai and Siraj Bhai for making arrangements for me to be able to sing again. I want everyone's cooperation."