Shamsul regrets giving away wealth
Golam Rabbani, Gopalganj
At 85, Haji Shamsul Haque Molla of Uttar Hiron village in Kotalipara says he now regrets his past decisions.
About three years ago, he sold his land and gave the money to his four daughters, depriving his two sons. He later spent much of his remaining money on Umrah, donations, loans and personal needs, and eventually became almost destitute.
"I made a mistake. I cheated my children, deprived them of what they deserve. No other father should make the same mistake," he said in a tearful voice.
Shamsul Haque denied that his daughters threw him out. He said he did not have the courage to go to his sons' house due to pride and shyness.
His eldest daughter Maya Begum said she kept him with her, but a dispute over money he had deposited with her led him to leave home five to six months ago.
After spending two nights in a mosque, he was brought back home on Wednesday morning following mediation by UNO Saif-ul-Arefin and locals. His two sons have now taken responsibility for his care.
Eldest son Azizul said, "Our father deprived us of our rights. But we will not abandon him. We will try to keep him well for the rest of his life."
