Rivers of Life: A Journey Through Bangladesh

A country where rivers aren’t just a river, it’s as important as veins in our body. The people of Bangladesh are heavily dependent on the Padma River. From using its water in day-to-day activities to agriculture and fishing, life here doesn’t end there. The life of Bangladeshi people depends beyond that. It’s a way to complete the pilgrimage or just a way to commute to school. It’s a way of life.
Like everything, climate change has impacted Bangladesh. The rivers aren’t immune to it. Many of the small rivers have dried up or are drying. The livelihood of people who depend on them directly has changed a lot. Even those who aren’t directly dependent on the river are still facing challenges due to soil erosion and unexpected flash floods.
Many climate activists have warned us that most of the Sundarbans area will vanish due to global sea level rise, making most of the population homeless. Due to unemployment, the majority of Bangladeshi youth are seeking job opportunities outside the country. Female participation is also rising, mostly in the unorganised sector—among the highest in the neighbouring countries.
Bangladesh is not only a country that is shaped by the rivers, it’s also shaped by colonialism, language, and culture.
Despite Bangladesh and West Bengal having once been a unified land, they are now divided on the basis of religion. Both West Bengal and East Bengal (now Bangladesh) still share the same culture and ethnicity. While travelling throughout the country, I found the language is different from place to place (even though I am a native Bengali). For example, the people from Sylhet speak a different Bengali than the people from Chattogram. This shows how culturally diverse the country is and how location has much more influence on the language.

Author’s Note
In 2024 I travelled to Bangladesh for a few days. As a photographer, I have captured many day-to-day moments. It is a diverse country where you will find yourself immersed in feelings with a subtle taste.
People are very generous. They don’t mind the camera. During this time I met many people from different roots and backgrounds. One of them has become a good friend since. My photographic mind isn’t satisfied as I want to spend more days in Bangladesh. I would love to visit again.