In the Bukhainagar river area, the Manta community residing on boats experiences a brief respite during Eid celebrations, only to return to their everyday struggles the next day. While Eid day brought a feast of chicken and rice for many families, the following morning saw them back to their usual meals. Living in rows of boats along the riverbanks for generations, over 500 individuals from approximately 115 boats form this floating community. Fishing serves as their primary livelihood, requiring them to journey far using hooks and nets to catch fish.
Jasim Uddin, a fleet leader, highlighted the bustling period during Eid festivities due to favorable weather conditions and abundant fish. While they savored a special meal on Eid day, the routine resumed the next day with watered rice for breakfast before heading out to fish in the Tetulia and Arial Kha rivers. After a successful catch of poa fish, they ventured to the market to sell their harvest, purchase essentials, and prepare their meals back on the boat.
For Mumtaz Begum, a community housewife, the contrast between Eid day and the subsequent day was stark. Despite being able to provide meat for her children on Eid, they had to make do with basic rice and lentils thereafter. Members of the Manta community expressed feeling overlooked for government assistance due to their boat-based lifestyle, lacking national ID cards that render them ineligible for social safety net programs.
Mohammad Ali Jibon, the chief coordinator of Chandradwip Development Society, disclosed that over 1,000 individuals from more than 300 Manta families reside across five unions in Barishal Sadar upazila. Akhtaruzzaman Talukdar, the District Social Services Officer in Barishal, mentioned that 50 Manta community members have been included in assistance programs this year, with plans to expand social allowance schemes to encompass more individuals gradually.