As the nation continues to grieve the devastating Milestone jet crash, a remarkable act of compassion unfolded outside the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery (NIBPS) on Tuesday. Members of the Hijra and third gender community gathered at the hospital—not seeking attention, but to donate blood for the injured children.
“Even if people hate us, our blood has no distance from theirs,” said Mehreen, a B-positive donor who came from Moghbazar. “We’re ready to give as many bags as needed. All we want is for the children to live.”
One of them, Chandni Akter, told Gonotaar: “We gave blood during the Bangabazar fire. We’re here again for the injured children of Uttara. We don’t have children of our own, but we understand the pain of losing one.”
Others like Jotsna and Sonia joined from across the city—Dholpur, Kamrangirchar, and beyond. “Don’t look down on us,” said Jotsna. “We may be seen as small by society, but we stand with people during every national crisis. We were helping in the rescue yesterday too.”
Their words and actions stood in sharp contrast to the marginalization they regularly face in society. Yet in this moment of national pain, they offered what mattered most: solidarity, humanity, and blood.
Meanwhile, outside the hospital, volunteers were collecting names, blood types, and phone numbers of donors. Special attention was being given to rare blood groups.
Ataul Islam, an AB-negative donor from Cumilla, said he closed his shop and rushed to Dhaka. “My blood group is rare. If it can save a life, that’s worth more than any business today.”
Organizer Shahinur Rahman told Gonotaar they’ve already listed over 150 negative blood donors and more than 300 positive ones. “We’re preparing to respond instantly if specific types are needed,” he said.
In a time of deep sorrow, the Hijra and third gender community reminded the country what compassion looks like.
