Daily livelihood of green vegetable and fruit vendors in the alleys of Dhaka.
Whenever I head out and spend some time walking, I find it far more refreshing than staying cooped up indoors—a setting I personally find quite tedious. Stepping outside often reveals scenes that are instantly captivating and perfect for photography. Beyond the obvious health benefits, walking also significantly improves one’s digestion. While passing by the mosque in West Rajabazar, I spotted a vendor selling leafy greens from a three-wheeled cart—his way of making a living. The weather was wonderful, with bright, radiant sunshine. I was truly drawn to the scene; the sunlight caught the greens, making them appear even more vibrant and lush. You can easily find a variety of greens here—such as bottle gourd greens (lau shak), water spinach (kolmi shak), red amaranth (lal shak), and radish greens (mula shak)—all available quickly and at a very affordable price. A single bunch of these greens costs 20 Taka (approximately 3.31 in Hive currency).
This unique mobile cart serves as an excellent means of livelihood for the underprivileged. Since the vendors do not have to pay rent for a shop, they are able to sell these fruits to the local community at lower costs and with modest profit margins. For instance, grapes are priced at 350 Taka per kilogram. Furthermore, these vendors often offer additional discounts—you can typically save at least 20 Taka on your purchase, which makes for a great way to economize. Green apples are priced at 380 Taka per kilogram, and Malta oranges at 280 Taka per kilogram, while regular oranges are 300 Taka per kilogram. You can even negotiate further to secure an additional 20 Taka discount. Choosing to shop here not only supports these vendors but also ensures that your family has access to healthy, nutritious fruits.
The vendor selling pineapples and papayas offers pineapples for 60 Taka each, but through some bargaining, you can get one for 50 Taka (8.26 HIVE). It’s quite satisfying to save money—and doing so while prioritizing your health makes the experience even better. You can also buy papayas here; I’ve seen them sold for as much as 120 Taka per kilogram elsewhere, but these are very fresh and ripe—an excellent choice among fresh fruits. They cost only 80 Taka (13.22 HIVE) per kilogram. I prefer buying from this particular street vendor because they bring fresh fruit every day. Since they don’t have to pay shop rent, they can afford to sell their produce from a three-wheeled cart with a smaller profit margin. Plus, I don’t have to travel far, which makes this a great way to save time.