Mushfiqur calls on people to donate Eid shopping money amid coronavirus crisis

Mushfiqur Rahim has called upon all those who are able to spend money to help the needy amid the coronavirus outbreak rather than buying new clothes this Eid-ul-Fitr.

The Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batsman urged people to pay more attention to safety at a virtual talk show, titled ‘Youths in the fight against COVID-19’, organised on Monday by the Young Bangla youth network of the Centre for Research and Information or CRI.

“Everybody is battling against the coronavirus. We are working at the field level for the last two months. We have to ensure our own safety first,” Mushfiqur said.

“I have never spent an Eid in Dhaka in the last 30-32 years, this is the first time I’m celebrating Eid in Dhaka alone," the 32-year-old added.

"My parents live in Bogura. Going somewhere else and then returning here involve risks. You could travel to your hometown with symptoms and end up infecting your relatives. These possibilities must be considered,” he said.

“The way we are getting reports of people going out for shopping is quite alarming. You could spend money to help someone out instead of wearing new clothes in Eid; that would be a great thing to do

“Don't be scared, rather stay alert," Bangladesh's only double centurion in Tests said.

"The government and the law enforcement are doing so much to help, putting their lives at risk. We have to stay indoors to show respect to their efforts. We all have to maintain social distancing measures,” he concluded.

Mushfiqur last Friday sold his historic bat, which he wielded for Bangladesh’s first Test double century, to help the poor amid the coronavirus crisis.  

Former Pakistan allrounder Shahid Afridi won the auction by offering nearly Tk 1.7 million through his foundation.

BAILOUT FUNDS

Two ruling Awami League MPs said the funds from the coronavirus stimulus package need to be properly distributed.

Waseqa Ayesha Khan, an MP from a seat reserved for woman, said the government was thinking about how to help the young and female entrepreneurs who, she pointed out, may not be able to pay a security deposit upfront to get the funds.

“The government is ready to provide assistance. And it’s not the end,” she said.

“It must be ensured that the incentives reach the right people. It’s definitely a challenge to take the funds to the right people at the right time. The government is working on it,” Waseqa added.

The government has announced more than Tk 1 trillion in stimulus packages to help the economy battle the coronavirus crisis. The funds are being distributed.

Nahim Razzaq MP, the moderator of the programme, also said it must be ensured that the people who really need help get the money.

Junior Chamber International President Sarah Kamal said female women representatives from all the chambers should be involved in the process to coordinate the disbursement of the funds to ensure that female entrepreneurs get the help.

Nobonita Chowdhury, director of Preventing Violence Against Women Initiative at BRAC, and Korvi Rakshand, executive director of JAAGO Foundation, among others, joined the event.