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๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฉ Bangladesh /Good News

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From Daily Star · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Razia Samad Dahlia, 83, continues her lifelong dedication to social service in Sherpur.
  • She has established a diabetic hospital, a heart foundation, and supported numerous underprivileged individuals.
  • Affectionately known as "Sherpur's Mother Teresa," Dahlia has devoted her personal wealth to humanitarian causes.

At 83, Razia Samad Dahlia, widely known as "Dahlia Khalamoni" and "Sherpur's Mother Teresa," remains a formidable force in social service, dedicating her life to aiding the poor, sick, and vulnerable. Since returning to her hometown of Sherpur in 1990 after her husband's death, she has channeled her personal wealth and inheritance into establishing crucial institutions and providing aid. Her most significant achievement is the Sherpur Diabetic Centre, founded in 1997 and later upgraded to a hospital, which offers interest-free loans and financial support to low-income patients. Dahlia's commitment extends to facilitating blood donations through her role as president of the Sherpur Red Crescent Society and supporting victims of violence and disadvantaged students. She has also been instrumental in promoting cultural activities, leading the local chapter of the National Rabindra Sangeet Sammilon Parishad and supporting a children's organization. Her humanitarian efforts are marked by extraordinary compassion, including rescuing and rehabilitating a woman suffering from leprosy and providing education and shelter to orphaned children, two of whom she rescued from the streets in the early 1990s and who have since secured employment. Currently, she supports at least 15 underprivileged students.

She is a rare individual who has dedicated both her life and resources to the welfare of others.

โ€” Imam Hossain ThanduGeneral secretary of the Sherpur Diabetic Association, describing Dahlia's impact.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Daily Star. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.