A writer’s passion to collect rare things -The Asian Age
People search happiness to do something creative and recreational beyond their routine works. Reading books, playing games or gardening are among the hobbies they take as passion. But Ali Mahmed, who is also known as Mohammad Ali, a resident in Chandashar area under Akhaura municipality of Brahmanbaria, has an exceptional hobby of collecting rare things.
Ali Mahmed, a writer and blogger, has been awarded by Deutsche Welle in recognition of his online writings. He has authored some 15 books. Bangla Academy is among the publishers of his books.
Ali Mahmed, son of late Nizam Uddin Ahmed, former chairman of Akhaura South Union Council, has been engaged in collecting rare historic and traditional things for long. He has established an archive in his home. His collections include attires of valiant freedom fighters, ancient religious scriptures, earthen-wares, bamboo products, prayer mats (jainamaz), prayer beads (tasbih), punthi sahitya, old TV sets, radios, watches, old newspapers, agricultural equipments and many other things.
Ali Mahmed regularly enriches his collections. He also collects books. Besides, he likes to feed helpless people. He runs a pre-primary school for street children. Literacy program is also conducted for adult people in the school. He has demonstrated his love for trees by setting up a roof garden with varied species of trees.
During a recent visit to Ali Mahmed’s home, this correspondent found a rich collection of rare things with historical and traditional value.
While talking to The Asian Age, Ali Mahmed said, “I had a passion to collect rare things since by childhood. Wherever I got something exception, I collected it. Besides, people around me help me enrich my collections.”
“I collect these rare things considering the future generations so that they can learn our history and tradition. When people come to see my collections, I really feel pride and happiness,” he added.
(Jalal Hossain, Akhaura, Brahmanbaria )