Suchitra Hajong

Suchitra Hajong was the most loving Bondhu (friend) at Bangladesh Bondhu Foundation (BONDHU) and Bashori. She left the mark of her contribution almost everywhere. She had to struggle a lot from her early childhood and won every battle except the last one. Suchitra Hajong was born in a Hajong family of Lengura village of Kalmakanda Upazila under Netrokona District. The day she was born was the victory day of Bangladesh, this is why she was given the name Bijoya (The Victorian). Later, at the time of her school admission, her name was changed to Suchitra. At the time, when most of the people from the Hajong community were deprived of education, she had a slightly different background. Her mother Giribala Hajong was a school teacher. It was Giribala Hajong who first passed the intermediate and PTI examination as a woman from the Hajong community. To attain this feat she had to tackle many adverse situations created by both the Hindus and the Muslims, the Bengali, and the Hajong society. Kolabati Hajong, the grandmother of Suchitra Hajong, was a leader of the Tanka Rebellion and a member of the communist party. Kolabati Hajong participated in the battle against the British and the homespun rulers and the oppressors, sometimes even with her child Giribala Hajong on her back. We have noticed the same trait of bravery in Suchitra. She used to come forward first in every situation with her idiosyncratic valor and when someone was in need, she used to extend her helping hand without any delay. The struggle of Suchitra Hajong started at the very beginning of her childhood, at her 9 when her mother had died. She was the youngest among her 10 siblings. She was brought up with the love and cares of her siblings. She had a firm trait of being self-reliant from her very childhood and she loved to accomplish her tasks devotedly. She was very meritorious. Besides study, she had a great attraction towards social activities. She studied at Lengura Govt. Primary School, Lengura High School, and Durgapur Women’s College. She completed her BSc in Computer Science from BUBT, Dhaka. She involved herself with Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum (BIPF). She became acquainted with the dignitaries like Bhasha Matin, Prof. Mejbah Kamal, Santu Larma, Pankaj Bhattacharya, and Khushi Kabir etc. In 2007 she attended a meeting of GIZ on Bondhu Chula and she got acquainted with Dr. Khalequzzaman. From then on, she dedicated herself to make the Bondhu Chula (Cook Stove) project a success. With the inspiration and assistance of Suchitra Hajong, SZ Consultancy Services Ltd. was established in 2008. In 2015, Bangladesh Bondhu Foundation (BONDHU) was founded. In every initiative, she was in the role of a spearhead. Bashori- A Nazrul Centre got its tempo for the zeal of Suchitra Hajong. “Lakho Konthe Bidrohi Kabita” (“The Rebel”- Poem in Lakhs of Voices) is the greatest example of that. She made herself indispensable in every field. Under her leadership and guidance, Bangladesh Bondhu Foundation (BONDHU) took part in different fairs all over Bangladesh. She coordinated Bondhu Chula activities of 250 NGOs, 6000 entrepreneurs, and nearly 1500 staffs. All the staffs, partners, and entrepreneurs were her near and dear ones. She used to maintain regular communication with them and they also communicated with her. She was the commander-in-chief and spearheaded all activities. She had an inherent ability to solve problems. She is remembered for her devotion and love towards mankind. She was a person of a positive attitude and she always regarded herself as a very lucky person. Many people live longer but do not contribute anything to this world, whereas some people come into the world for a limited time but leave their signs everywhere and Suchitra Hajong is one of them. Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2017. Despite her illness, she continued her activities with zeal, courage, and stamina and she did not fall back. Even just after receiving her chemotherapy, she used to attend office. In December 2017, she launched a new project titled “Cancer and Women’s Health” to make people aware of cancer. Her last words were, “Within 7 days I will be healed and attend office.” Immediately after saying this, she had to receive life support and after two days on 17th September 2018 she breathed her last. We feel her absence at every moment and it will not be possible to fulfill her vacancy. Suchitra will remain forever in the deepest part of our heart. Alongside the Hajong community, she thought of developing the other indigenous communities and the Bengali community. She devised a number of plans which are left unaccomplished due to her untimely demise. We have become the incumbent to accomplish them. The life and works of our beloved Suchitra Hajong will inspire us for the days to come