Staff Correspondent

Since the age of six months, Shweta Shatabdi Esh has been battling the incurable disease of thalassemia.

Despite being afflicted with this deadly condition, she has emerged as a true warrior, enduring four major surgeries and surviving the battle against death. This struggle has made her even more resilient and courageous. After completing her Master’s degree from Dhaka University, Shweta aimed to build a self-sufficient life.

However, she has recently been diagnosed with liver cancer and is now moving toward a realm of silence, unable to express herself. Her life hangs in the balance, and to survive, she urgently needs a liver transplant, which requires over 8 million BDT.

In 2009, Shweta faced severe complications following the removal of her spleen due to excessive iron in her body. The combination of excess iron and hormonal imbalance had already placed her liver in a critical state for years. As she requires two bags of blood every month, in 2022, she contracted the ‘C virus’ through blood transfusion. After a year of treatment, she tested negative for the virus. Despite being under regular medical supervision, Shweta was diagnosed with liver cancer in July of this year.

With the support of her family and friends, Shweta has completed radiotherapy at a hospital in Delhi, India. However, much remains to be done. The next step is to undergo TARE (Transarterial Radioembolization) therapy, for which only 25 days remain. If TARE is not administered within the specified time after radiotherapy, the tumors will begin to regenerate, leaving no other options. For this, an urgent fund of approximately 3.2 million BDT is needed. Following TARE therapy, if her body responds well, a liver transplant will be necessary, costing an additional 5.5 million BDT.

Shweta has been exceptionally talented since childhood. Despite her illness, she completed her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Bengali from Dhaka University with her intellect and determination. She has already published five poetry collections. For her works “Biporit Durbin” and “Firre Jacchey Phool,” she received the ‘Ayesha Foyez Literary Award’ in 2017 (Bangladesh) and the ‘Adam Samman’ in 2018 (India).

In light of Shweta’s critical condition, we urge people to come forward with compassion and support her advanced treatment. Let us uphold the belief that humanity is for humanity, life is for life. Let us unite to save the life of poet Shweta Shatabdi Esh.

To provide financial assistance: Bank Details: Shatabdi Esh, A/C- 4439 60101 9033, Bank- Sonali Bank PLC, Branch- Begum Rokeya Sarani, West Monipur, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Branch Code- 067, SWIFT CODE- BSONBDDH, Routing Number- 200260679. Paypal: Paypal.me/AlokanandaB, Email- bhmk61@yahoo.com bKash/Nagad: Mandira Esh – Sister of Shweta (bKash) – +88 01921006627, Chhobi Bhowmik – Mother of Shweta (bKash & Nagad)- +88 01931551865