In the aftermath of Bangladesh’s deadly revolution to depose Sheikh Hasina, a group of wounded protesters is finding hope in the form of robotic prosthetic arms. The revolution, marked by months of unrest and violent crackdowns, culminated in the storming of Hasina’s palace on August 5, forcing her to flee to India by helicopter. The uprising claimed the lives of at least 700 people, with hundreds more injured, including many who lost limbs.
Among them is 19-year-old student Hafeez Mohammad Hossain, who lost his right hand to a police shotgun blast during the chaos. “I felt searing pain as gun pellets tore through my back and leg,” Hossain recounted. Despite surgeons’ best efforts, his hand could not be saved. Now, adjusting to life with a robotic limb, Hossain expressed optimism: “I’ll be able to do some everyday tasks with this artificial hand.”
Four other injured protesters, who also lost their hands, received similar prosthetics on Thursday. These devices, created by Robolife Technologies, a Bangladeshi organization specializing in artificial limbs, represent a blend of hope and innovation. The prosthetics use sensors connected to the wearers’ nerves, enabling them to grasp objects, type, and use a phone.
Antu Karim, part of the government-backed initiative behind the project, acknowledged the limitations of the technology. “If you ask me whether they work like organic hands, I’d say no,” he said. “But these hands allow the boys to hold a glass when thirsty or a spoon to eat. At least they won’t be looked down upon for not having hands.”
Revolution’s Toll
The fall of Hasina, whose 15-year rule was marred by human rights abuses, including mass detentions and extrajudicial killings, has left the nation grappling with the scars of the uprising. Many of the wounded protesters have received little to no government support. Limbless demonstrators held a rally earlier this month, demanding aid from the interim government, highlighting their ongoing struggles.
One of the recipients of the robotic limbs is 32-year-old Mohammad Mamun Mia, a father of two whose hand was severed by attackers he identified as loyal to Hasina’s Awami League party. Although the new arm cannot restore his ability to work as a tractor driver, Mamun expressed hope for his future. “I’ll be able to do some regular tasks with this hand,” he said, adding that he plans to start a small business.
For others, the prosthetics signify a return to a semblance of normal life. Arif Hossain Sagar, 19, underwent amputation after his injury failed to heal and doctors feared gangrene. “I rely on others for eating or bathing,” Sagar said, expressing gratitude for the new limb that promises some independence.
Human Dreams and Robotic Hands
Perhaps the most poignant story is that of Nayeem Hasan, a young father who was attacked while attempting to donate blood for injured protesters. Overcome with emotion as he tested his new robotic arm, Hasan spoke of his one-year-old daughter. “I have a dream to hold her,” he said tearfully.
While the robotic limbs provided by Robolife Technologies may not fully replicate the functions of natural hands, they represent a significant step toward restoring dignity and independence to those injured in the revolution. As Bangladesh moves forward, the wounded protesters stand as a testament to the cost of the nation’s fight for justice and the resilience of the human spirit.
As more advanced technologies emerge, initiatives like this offer hope for a brighter future for those whose lives have been irrevocably changed by conflict. For now, these robotic arms symbolize not just the healing of physical wounds, but also the reclamation of agency and normalcy in the lives of Bangladesh’s bravest.
