Aleya Khanam is a self-respecting and hardworking woman from West Bejgram village in Hatibandha upazila of Lalmonirhat. Through her hard-earned income, she has raised her three children to be educated and responsible citizens. Her eldest daughter has completed her studies and settled down, while her youngest daughter has just started college. Her son, Shamim Al Mahadi, completed his studies at Bangladesh Agricultural University and was preparing for the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination.
Alongside farming, Aleya Khanam built her own cattle farm at home in an effort to become financially self-reliant. A year ago, when she received the news that her son had been finally recommended for appointment through the 45th BCS examination, she felt proud of him. She thought his merit had received its due recognition.
But that relief did not last long. Eleven long months passed waiting for the gazette notification. Finally, on the night of 14 October, the Ministry of Public Administration published the final gazette notification for the 45th BCS. Of the 1,807 candidates recommended by the Public Service Commission (PSC), 1,702 secured jobs, while 105 were left out. Shamim Al Mahadi, Aleya Begum's son, was among those unfairly excluded from the list.
The self-reliant woman was shocked and heartbroken when she did not find her son's name in the gazette. Speaking to this correspondent over the phone, Aleya Begum raised several questions that she considered reasonable.
