For 24 years, Ruhul Amin Rubel, a businessman from Natore’s Baraigram upazila, has helped families struggling to afford their daughters’ weddings. With his support for the wedding of Afsana Mim, a 20-year-old from Naogaon, the number of brides he has assisted has reached 113.
His initiative has supported women from impoverished families, including those who have lost their parents, by taking responsibility for wedding arrangements and easing the financial pressure on their households.
Afsana, from Gobindapur village in Naogaon’s Manda upazila, is the daughter of van driver Afsar Ali. Struggling to meet his family’s daily needs on a limited income, Afsar was worried about how he would pay for her wedding.
He learnt about Rubel’s initiative through a neighbour. When approached, Rubel agreed to help and took responsibility for all the arrangements, from the “gaye holud” ceremony to the wedding itself.
Afsana married Kawsar Mondal, son of Sabuj Mondal of Natore Sadar upazila, on Friday afternoon.
For Afsar, the assistance brought relief from a financial burden he had been unsure how to manage.
“I support my family by driving a van. It is a struggle to get through each day. I was worried about how I would meet my daughter’s wedding expenses,” he said.
“The way Rubel stood beside us has lifted a great worry from my shoulders. Without his help, it would have been difficult for me to arrange my daughter’s wedding so beautifully.”
Afsana said the support meant a great deal to her family as she began her married life.
“The help Ruhul Amin Rubel has given us for my wedding means so much to our family. I never imagined there would be such a lovely arrangement. We are grateful to him. Please pray for our new life together,” she said.
Kawsar said the arrangements had surprised and delighted his family.
“We were very happy and surprised to see the wedding arrangements. It is truly commendable that someone has stood beside a family in need and taken on such a responsibility. With everyone’s prayers, we hope to build a happy and peaceful life together,” he said.
The imam of a local mosque and residents praised Rubel’s initiative. They said people with financial means had a moral responsibility to support families in need.
They added that more people coming forward in this way could help ensure that poverty did not overshadow important family occasions, describing Rubel’s work as an example of compassion and solidarity.
Rubel said his efforts were motivated by his faith and the satisfaction of helping others.
“I have no personal interest in taking responsibility for the weddings of women in need. I try to stand beside people with the afterlife in mind. It feels good to bring a smile to a struggling family’s face,” he said.
“If I learn of a family genuinely in need anywhere in the country, I will try to help within my means.”
Afsana’s wedding marks another milestone in an initiative that has continued for 24 years. For her family, as for the others Rubel has assisted, his support helped turn months of financial worry into an occasion to celebrate.
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