The Colorful Story of Livelihood on Dhaka’s Streets

Hello dear friends,
I hope you all are doing well and spending a beautiful life with your loved ones. I wish you all happiness and peace.

Dhaka city a place where millions of people struggle every single day to earn their livelihood. Some work in offices, some run small shops, and many survive by selling goods on the streets. Every corner, every alley of this bustling city tells a story — a story of hard work, survival, and dreams.

Today, while returning from my office, I came across one such story. On the roadside stood a man holding several colorful bags for children. At first glance, I thought he might be selling toys. But as I went closer, I saw a beautiful collection of small, furry handbags — bright red, pink, yellow, black, sky-blue, and even light green. Each bag was decorated with tiny flowers and shiny mirrors, making them look adorable and perfect for little girls.

The man greeted me with a smile and said, “Brother, please take one — only 100 taka each.” I asked him if he made them himself. He replied, “No, I buy them wholesale from a tailor and sell them here.” From his words, I understood that this was his only source of income — his way of keeping life going in the ever-busy streets of Dhaka.

These little bags might seem simple to us, but for him, they are his lifeline. If he can sell 10 or 15 bags in a day, the day goes well; otherwise, it’s hard to manage even the next day’s capital. Standing for hours in the heat, dust, and sometimes rain — this man’s dedication reflects the real spirit of urban survival.

I took a few photographs of the bags. Honestly, they looked really nice — especially suitable for young girls. My daughter, Nusaiyba, is still very young, so I didn’t buy one. But I thought to myself — if she were a little older, I would definitely have brought her a red one.

It seemed like the man was new to this area. I had seen him standing there during the afternoon when I went out for lunch, and later at night, after finishing work, he was still in the same place. Perhaps he was trying to find a good spot to attract customers.

Every day, thousands of people like him roam the streets of Dhaka — selling toys, flowers, bags, clothes, and so many other small items. Most of them don’t have a permanent shop or a fixed income, yet they keep moving forward. Their strength lies in their determination — a simple will to live and to keep their families smiling.

Watching that man made me realize that life’s value doesn’t depend on big offices or luxurious homes. The true beauty of life lies in the hard work of ordinary people — the ones whose silent efforts keep this city alive. They may not be rich or famous, but they are the heartbeat of Dhaka.

That man, standing by the roadside with his colorful bags, reminded me that every honest struggle is a story worth telling. Those little bags weren’t just pieces of fabric — they were symbols of hope, survival, and the endless colors of life itself.