Sreemangal
Episode 8
Shariq Ali
Valueversity
Our van had crossed the wide expanse of the Meghna River and was now traveling towards Sylhet, having covered quite a distance. The landscape around us began to change. Instead of the lush green fields and the vast rice paddies submerged in water, we now saw scattered bushes and shorter trees. A new view of gently green hills unfolded before our eyes. Several of us in the van, including myself, needed local SIM cards to inform our families back home about our well-being. In response to this need, our hosts steered the van toward the bustling market of a small nearby town, Srimangal, just before reaching our destination.
As we entered the busy market of this small town, it was my first introduction to any small town in the northeastern region of Bangladesh. The market was quite crowded, bustling with life and activity. This town is known for its connection to tea gardens and its trade in fresh vegetables, fruits, and tea leaves. The market seemed like a fair of colors and aromas. Some local farmers appeared to be there to sell their crops, while most of the locals were busy purchasing daily essentials. Small hotels were selling traditional Bengali food like puri bhaji and tea. The streets, full of rickshaws, bicycles, and pedestrians, reflected a vibrant and traditional Bengali atmosphere.
When we parked the van and reached the desired mobile phone shop, we were warmly welcomed with a sense of hospitality. The shop owner immediately recognized that we were not locals. He dealt with us in a polite and courteous manner. He took my passport, noted the necessary details, and after proper verification, handed me the new SIM card.
We boarded the van once again and continued towards our destination—guest houses located amidst the tea gardens, where we were to stay during the conference. As we passed through the tea gardens, I saw tea trees up close for the first time in my life. The arrangement and beauty of these trees mesmerized me. Tea trees are usually about two to two and a half feet tall. Despite being small, their trunks are slender yet strong. Tiny green leaves sprout from their branches, and the freshest and most vibrant leaves are found at the top, ready to be plucked for making tea. These trees are uniform in height and are planted beautifully along the slopes of gentle hills, creating an extremely picturesque view. The vibrant greenery of the tea gardens captivates the heart, and their neat rows, growing in an organized manner, make the scenery even more enchanting. Traveling from the hustle and bustle of Srimangal’s market to this lush green paradise was a delightful experience… to be continued.