Iftar at Tk 1 in Patuakhali

A voluntary organisation in Kalapara upazila of Patuakhali is once again distributing iftar at a token price of Tk 1 during Ramadan.

Under the initiative of ‘Amra Kalaparabashi’, more than 200 underprivileged residents of Kalapara town have been receiving iftar packages every day since the beginning of the holy month.

The items, carried by van, are distributed on a scheduled basis across different neighbourhoods.

Each package includes chickpeas, puffed rice, dates, jilapi, beguni, and alur chop. The organisation’s president, secretary, and members said the programme will continue throughout Ramadan.

Locals praised the initiative as a commendable example of social responsibility.

Sobhan Mia, a rickshaw puller in Kalapara municipal town, said he was passing through Sabujbagh with a passenger when student volunteers stopped him and handed him an iftar packet, taking only Tk 1 in return.

“The items they provided are things I could not afford to buy from the market. I sincerely thank them for this initiative,” he said.

Read more

Prices of essentials rise ahead of Ramadan

Sohel Hossain, a day labourer, said he was heading to a mosque to break his fast when students gave him a packet. “There are many items in the packet. I am very happy to receive it,” he added.

Abdul Khalek, a tailor, said if affluent members of society came forward in this way during Ramadan, the sufferings of the poor would be greatly reduced.

Nazmus Sakib, president of Amra Kalaparabashi, explained that the Tk 1 charge is symbolic.

“We are taking it so that people do not feel they are receiving relief or charity. We want them to accept it with dignity,” he said.

He added that the initiative was first launched during Ramadan in 2020 and has continued every year since.

“Through this programme, we are trying to stand beside low‑income people in a respectful way. Every year our members raise funds among themselves to run it,” he said.