Jahidul Islam Dulal, Lalmohan (Bhola)

The fall season is coming to an end. Winter has come. Although winter has not yet fully started. Every year around winter new seasonal items and food are seen in the market of the village. Jilapi is the most popular among them. In these two-and-a-half panch Jilapi shops, the sale and purchase is booming. Jilapi shops are open from dawn till late night. But most of the trading takes place between noon and 8 pm every day.

Jilapi sales have already accumulated in different markets of Lalmohan Upazila of Bhola. This juicy food is being sold at the price of Tk 120 to Tk 140 per kg. Which is made with rice flour. At present, two types of Jilapi are generally seen in the upazila's haat-bazars. Which includes Jilapi made from sugarcane jaggery and sugar. The price of both types of Jilapi is same. In these Jilapi, the livelihood of the sellers and the hobbies of the buyers meet.

A number of jilapi shops are located in the Mahajanpatti area of Lalmohan town. At this time of year the shops are here. Mahajan Patti Jilapi seller. Miraj Hossain said, for the past twenty years, we have been selling Jilapi during the winter season. Other times I go around selling sugarcane juice. Jilapi is very much appreciated by people in this season of winter. I have started selling Jilapi since last one month. The shop is open daily from 7 am to 12 pm.

This Jilapi seller also said that the sale is good at the market. There is a market in the municipality two days a week. Sales were good on those two days. More than 200 kg of Jilapi are sold during the haat. 20 to 24 thousand rupees. From here the profit is around 3 to 4 thousand rupees. With which the family is running. My shop is run by father and nephew. This seasonal Jilapi shop will continue for four more months.

Morshed, an artisan of another jilapi shop in Mahajanpatti of the municipality, said that he has been involved in making jilapi for 25 years. The value of Jilapi increases during the winter season. For which I work to make Jilapi at this time of the year. Other times drive autorickshaws. But I get 800 taka daily by making Jilapi. There are 2 daughters and a wife in the family. The income of making this Jilapi is currently supporting the family.

Jilapi buyer is a college lecturer. Rafiqul Islam said that it is a different kind of fun to eat Jilapi during winter. Eating it myself, and taking it home. Jilapi is also loved by children.

Two other buyers named Akalima and Sahida Begum said, I have come to work in the market. While passing by here I see Jilapi being sold. For which I have bought two kilograms of one kilogram each for the house. The price is a little higher this year. But desire is worthless. And at this time Jilapi has many flavors.