Jalil , Seeded Banana ( Bhichi Kala) and Prawn( Chingur Mach) - An unforgettable memory

It was July 2004, being appointed by a National NGO; I had been posted as an Organizer In-Charge in Amtali Upazila under Barguna District. I was excited because of the nice job location as Kaukata Sea Beach is very close to me. Besides Kauakata ferry Ghat of Payra River is also, another attraction to me. I got two senior colleagues (Shawon, Shila Rani), 70 Peer Leader- Paid volunteers, all are adolescents boys and girls- and support staff Abdul Jalil Peyada.

Seeded Banan (Bichi Kala) :বিচিকলা

Jalil was the only one guide and interpreter for me; without him I could not move anywhere even I could not understand the local language because of customary dialect. So I became Bangladeshi foreigner. Every day I had accustomed to som new word, dialect, recipes of cooking, culture, social values, customs, and lifestyle. The first word I learned from Jalil was "Chengur Mach" literally called prawn. Whenever I asked Jalil about any vegetable cooking. "Jalil, how could this vegetable (any name of vegetable) items be cooked? The answer I got from Jalil as usual "With Chengur Mach (prawn) sir". Jalil never missed purchasing seeded banana (Bichi Kala) in every evening and it had been noticed by me for three months. One day I asked jalil " what are the favorite fruits your area? Very simple answer" It is bichi kala in terms of banana". He also added it such popular here that people eat Bichi Kala in breakfast, with Panta rice as a morning meal and what not......

Prwan(Chingur Mach)- চিঙ্গুর মাছ 

Definitely, this Seeded banana is also grown here abundantly, the price also high rather than other species. Basically, in our Comilla this banana- (locally called Ayetta kala)- uses to eat by diarrhoea, dysentery and the people with the digestive problem. It is also tasty as a salad made with tamarind and red chili.

By the course of time, I travel different places of Bangladesh due to my job and livelihoods. I am very unlucky because I could not continue my communication with Jalil. I never forget all memories, smile, sense of humor, honesty, integrity, carefulness, commitment and hardworking of Jalil. 


 Jalil , I miss you so much !