Selling Luck On the Streets

Photos: Orchid Chakma

It takes a lot of courage to live in a city, especially when it is a city like Dhaka. As our beloved congested and noisy Dhaka grows, so does the hassles of the good people who live here. To tackle the daily hustles and bustles of our lives, a little luck always helps in this big city. In front of the Supreme Court gate Rezaul Karim provides just that. An Astrologer by profession, he sits under the banyan tree in front of the premises from noon to evening, with his box full of rings and prayer beads to -- in his own words -- "help the city with a little luck".

Karim's business idea of astrological stones came to him as a revelation. "This 'blessing' came to me when I was in Ajmer Sharif," says Hakim. Before his pilgrimage Karim used to be a job holder in the Motijheel commercial area. "I had my share of bad blood in this city, but it was in Ajmer that I realised that holding these grudges was useless." Since his disclosure, Karim devoted his life to helping people with the stones alongside advising his clients on how to devour the rahus and bad luck that are after them. "The common misconception is that one can cure everything with these stones, but it is not all that simple," says Karim. "These stones grant a boost of good luck and will prevent the bad aura from connecting with one's soul." Karim's casket of stones include Suleiman stones, sapphires, rubies etc. He also sells prayer beads, small copies of the Quran and other good luck charms. "This is my way of returning my gratitude towards people. I don't know anything else and if people can find a little bit of hope from my side, I would be blessed," says Karim.

As we sink into our troubled city life, it is quite interesting to see people like Karim, trying to give people a boost on luck.