The Winter's Tale

Photos: Palash Khan

A chilly morning coated in a thick blanket of fog declares the arrival of winter in rural Bangladesh. Life becomes perilous for the poor villagers in the nearly-freezing temperature. Huddling around small fire pits to feel the life saving warmth becomes their principal activity. However, for many farmers, the chilly winter brings a bounty of opportunities. Cultivation of fresh, winter vegetables, fruits, date-palm juice and many other winter crops bring activity and prosperity to the farmhouses of rural Bengal. This is indeed a season of hardship but it offers fortune for those who dare to cultivate it.