If money cannot buy happiness, what is the secret behind happiness? And what can we actually buy with money?
Many of us fail to find reasons to be happy amid endless complaints, while there are many in this city who seem completely content. One such happy soul is Nazimuddin Fakir of Bhatara in Dhaka.
From afternoon till night, he sells spicy puffed rice in Solmaid, Bhatara area. Sometimes there are boiled eggs too in his bucket. Now he can only work for a short time after being cured of tuberculosis. He made a cage to cover the food himself, so that dirt does not fall on it. He runs his business on a small wheelbarrow.
Migrating to Dhaka in the hopes of a better life
Nazimuddin Fakir is a good soul from Netrokona. When he got married, he hoped to live comfortably with his wife, so he migrated to Dhaka’s Bhatara.
He had heard many things before he came to the city. Someone once told him that money flies in the air of Dhaka. He came to Dhaka in search of a new life with a heart full of dreams.
So, did you see money flying in the air of Dhaka?
“No, uncle. On the contrary, I have seen how people get cheated on blindly. Money is elusive; in this city, every step people take is driven by self-interest.”
Much of his youth was spent in tilling the soil. But after contracting tuberculosis, he could no longer do any heavy work. He shared memories of those days in the early 90s. He used to take his son on his shoulders and go for walks in Gulshan.
Nazimuddin rarely saw such beautiful houses and cars in his life. There is nothing to say. He knows that it is not possible for him to gain so much money even after a lifetime of penance. But he never regretted it. Many rich people may spend their entire lives making money. However, they might lack happiness in their family lives, and do not get time to even enjoy life, he thought.
Though Nazimuddin doesn’t have much money, there is endless happiness in his life. His wife loves him very much. He is the father of one son and one daughter. Despite the scarcity of money, he tried to educate his son and daughter and did not discriminate at all.
So, how does his family run only by selling spicy puffed rice and boiled eggs?
He did not rent any well-organised shop, as he puts it, “The shop rent is too much. I don’t have that much ability.”
His daily income is not more than Tk200, but smiles never leave his face. He has no complaints about life. So, does he have a happy life? It is not uncommon for such questions to come to mind. But as Nazimuddin says, if you have the support and love of your close ones, any work becomes easy.
His wife works as a maid in many houses of Bashundhara. Both of them are living happily together. Their son is studying in class 7 and his daughter is happily married.
Every person has some dreams in their life. You are a happy person. How are the dreams of happy people?
He said, “Fakir is my surname. I am a fakir. I have no desire in life. But, when I got tuberculosis, I had to undergo a chest operation. At that time, I only sought my life from Allah. I wanted to survive. I don’t want to leave this world.
“It was my life’s dream to be alive then. Alhamdulillah I am alive now. Now my dream in life is to be able to live properly, be happy with my wife and children. It is enough to eat three times a day. My dream has come true.”
Do you remember anything from childhood? Perhaps the Liberation of 1971?
“Yes. I remember many things. How can all those childhood memories be forgotten? I was the youngest son of my parents. When my father would come from the market, I would run and climb on his lap. Father used to think that his son will be a big moneylender one day. I didn’t understand anything about it then. I just listened and laughed.
“And talking about the liberation war, I still remember that my mother hid my sister behind the bushes beside our pond. It still amazes me when I think of how my mother pushed my sister there after the military came, despite fearing mosquitoes and snakes. I was so young, and that was a long time ago. That’s all I remember now.”
