Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said individual initiatives for public welfare can inspire others to work for society and the country.

"Such initiatives will encourage others to come forward with similar efforts," he said when three individuals known for their contributions to education and environmental protection met him at the Bangladesh Secretariat here this afternoon.

The three individuals are Naila Sharaf, a BUET graduate who chose primary school teaching, Md Altaf Hossain, who established a school despite being born without hands, and Rezaul Kibria Babul, who has planted thousands of trees through his own efforts.

Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu said the premier listened attentively to their life struggles and initiatives for public welfare, praised their work and assured them of necessary support.

"The country needs people like you to build the nation. Nation-building will become easier if more people come forward like you," the prime minister said.

During the meeting, Sharaf's unconventional career choice came up for discussion.

After graduating from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), she joined the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) as an assistant engineer and later worked as an officer at Janata Bank.

Despite qualifying for the 34th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination, she chose teaching over a government job.
 
She has been teaching at Panchananpur Government Primary School in Netrokona for the past seven years. She also develops teaching aids and digital content to facilitate learning, particularly for underprivileged children.

Another individual, Altaf Hossain of Narsingdi, was born without both hands but learned to write with his feet.

In 2007, he established Protibha Dukhu Mia Kindergarten School in Panchdona, Narsingdi, using his savings and proceeds from the sale of ancestral land.

The school now has 145 students and 10 teachers. He continues to write and manage various school activities using his feet. Hasan Shiplu said the prime minister assured Altaf of assistance in constructing a new school building.

Meanwhile, Rezaul Kibria Babul of Char Fasson in Bhola has spent nearly three decades planting trees with his own money and labour.

Alongside his work as a mosque imam, he has planted thousands of trees along roads in different areas. After selling ancestral property, he established a nursery and began planting saplings grown there at various locations.

Many of the trees he planted have now grown large enough to provide shade to passers-by.

The Prime Minister praised all three individuals for their initiatives and encouraged them to continue their work, assuring them of support.