Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has stood by five-year-old Ratul and elderly water vendor Shahanur Begum. -Collage Photo

DHAKA, April 9, 2026 (BSS) - Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has stood by five-year-old Ratul and elderly water vendor Shahanur Begum, extending his financial support to them following media reports highlighting their hardships.

Ratul's plight drew the Prime Minister's attention as a media report exposed his impoverished condition headlining "Five-year-old Ratul bears the burden of his family".

Noticing the report, Tarique Rahman, also chief patron of Amra BNP Poribar, instructed his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman to extend helping hand to Ratul's family. 

Ruman said apart from Ratul, the premier also directed him to stand by elderly Shahanur Begum.

Being instructed, he said, an Amra BNP Poribar delegation, led by its Member Secretary Agriculturist Mokhchedul Momin Mithun, today visited Ratul's family in the city's Khilgaon area adjacent to Shantipur Fire Service.

The delegation met Ratul's ailing father Mohammad Rabbi and conveyed him the prime minister's sympathy along with providing financial assistance.

Amra BNP Poribar has also taken responsibility of Ratul's education.

The delegation, as well, inquired about the overall condition of Shahanur Begum, who earns a living by selling water in the city's Agargaon area.

The Amra BNP Poribar delegation included Shakil Ahmed, Farhad Ali Sajeeb, Sweden BNP leader Saiham Sikandar Pappu, former general secretary of BUET Chhatra Dal Engineer Abu Hanif, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University student leaders Md Mesbaul Alam and Mashiur Rahman, and Dhaka College Chhatra Dal member Abdullah Al Misbah.