Bangladeshi Girl

​Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' Luke 15: 6

(Real story of the Innocent who suffered in the Dark Cell of the prisons). March 1999, I was A Jesu Raja Poverty leads to blind belief I am from in a remote village in Bangladesh. My father expired when I was small. My mother gave me in marriage when I was fourteen. I got a baby girl. After that my husband left me and settled in nearby town. Along with my mother who was sick we could run the family. There came a “Saviour” who promised me a good job and to take care of my family. She took me to India .That was my first trip out of my country I can see even out of own town. I was full of dreams that my home will be full of blessings by the new ‘Saviour’. Only When I reached Salem in Tamil Nadu I could realize that things are not as I thought. Only the Good Shepherd takes care of the Sheep On 29th October 2008 I was arrested in Salem charging the crimes as per the Foreigners Act and ITP Act. I was remanded to the prison. Without knowing the knowledge, I suffered a lot. My dream ‘Saviour’ left me. I could believe no one. I felt that whole world is against me. I found out that the circumstances are the best teacher. I started learning local language. I was able to speak Tamil. Nearly after two years of imprisonment on 29th I was released. Since I was not having the valid document to be in India as per the Foreigners’ Act I was remanded to a girl’s home in Salem till I get the proper documents. 

Waiting is very sad experience January 2010, the judgment came that I am innocent. I am not guilty of ITP Act. So Even though it is not prison I was very much troubled. I was longing to go to my native. Sr. Joyce from Prison Ministry met me and she was my source of consolation. But the time does not wait for any one. It was moving very fast. Nothing happened. Along with me there were two other Bangladesh Girls. They were also eager to meet their family members. Our anxiety closed our eyes so once we had committed the crime of running from the Home. On 15th different. Taste the joy in suffering Only two of us were arrested on 21st (Chennai). Again I was thinking of my fate and crying within myself. I was sick and I had to undergo operation. Every time we go to the Salem Court I had severe pain and agony continued. But it was like shadow in the desert I could feel the love and concern of the Mrs. Allirani the Superintendent of the prison who was kind enough to us. She called the Prison Ministry Volunteers and requested the help for the repatriation of two of us. They were very much helpful. We gave our addresses. Immediately the volunteers contacted the Bishop Bejoy D Cruz OMI of Bangladesh. He told that he has been transferred from Khulna Diocese to another end of the country namely Sylhet Diocese.

His interest towards the ministry and persistent reminder from the volunteers leads him to take action. He could identify the families and write to the Bangladesh embassy in Delhi. To our surprise we were able to get the free travels permit numbers 163082 and 163083 on 11th sides we were very happy. But on the other side on 10th us and again to keep us the Mandapam Camp in until we get the valid documents. Because at that time we have not received the travel permits. Again our life was miserable in the camp. Second life for me Even after getting the travel permits we were not able to go to our native country due to lot of formalities. From one department to another department, from Chennai to Delhi, Delhi to Kolkata the Prison Ministry Volunteers were following the files doing tireless job for us. By the time the validity of our travel permit got over and again by the influence of the volunteers we got the travel permit on 12th a long struggle we got the order from the Government of India on 22nd than four years we met our family members. Their joy cannot be explained in words. They thought that I was dead and gone. When I went there it was like a second life for me. We were very sad we could not meet the volunteers when we left Chennai. Gratitude not in simple words but with whole heart Bishop Bejoy D Cruz OMI and Fr. Nicholas of Khulna Diocese helped us a lot. All of my family members are very much thankful to them.

I was very happy more than the time of my release when the Volunteers visited my little house in a remote village of our country. My mother, sister, and brother were very happy when they had lunch with us. I could feel that only Christians can do this because they follow who went behind the one leaving the ninety nine. The volunteers introduced the Sr. Catherine of RNDM sisters in Bagerghat community and the sisters also happy to help us.

As it was said I was lost and found so please rejoice with family. I request you to continue the same mission since there are lots of lost sheep are in the dark cells. July 2012 we escaped from home. But God’s plan was July 2012 and remanded to Special prison for women in Puzhal October 2012 with the validity of three months. Once October 2012 Magistrate Court in Salem released January 2013. After February 2013. Nearly after more