Shailan Probeen Nibash (SPN), which is located about 45 km from Dhaka off the Dhaka-Aricha highway, in an idyllic village called Shailan in Dhamrai upazila. At first sight, the old age home’s newly built exposed red brick four-storey building with its long balconies and a courtyard garden might make you mistake it for a vacation resort. The home has a capacity to house 80 men and women free of charge.

The concept of old age homes or retirement homes is commonplace in many countries. But in our society, the idea is still frowned upon, to say the least. It is almost a taboo; the social stigma is deeply rooted. On the other hand, though, is it not high time that we embrace this idea?

Under the social welfare ministry, there are currently six old homes.

Joint families in Bangladesh, like in most countries, have been split up. With that, family ties, love, and connection to parents appear to be waning.

In her late 70s, Nadira Begum has signs of aging written in the wrinkles on her face. Her smile has faded over years of toiling. Married at a young age, she got separated from her then husband and had to leave behind her children. She got remarried, but her husband is no more. Nadira’s life now is all about solitude. As Eid arrives, everything remains exactly the same.