It’s a bright, sun-soaked afternoon. Sweat drips down dusty faces as construction workers toil along Cox’s Bazar’s Marine Drive. Amid the clatter of hammers, shovels, cement, and stone, a small moment of relief arrives: snack time. And the star of that break is none other than the humble, homegrown delight—ripe jackfruit, our national fruit.
It’s not just a fruit; for tired bodies, it’s a natural gift. Groups of workers sit together—some eagerly prying open the spiky skins, others discarding the husks nearby, while a few savour a generous slice with their eyes closed, lost in its heavenly sweetness.
This year is jackfruit season. Fresh fruits are abundant in local markets, and some are sourced from nearby villages, where they are sold directly by farmers from their trees. Sweet and affordable, jackfruit has found a welcome spot on the workers’ snack list.
But it’s not just about taste—jackfruit is packed with nutrition, including vitamins A and C, potassium, and fiber, which are especially beneficial for tired bodies during the summer heat.
By the shores of the Bay of Bengal, development hums on. Amid that progress, a single slice of jackfruit becomes a sweet respite. Perhaps similar scenes unfold across the country this season, where the smell of earth and sweat mingles with the irresistible aroma of jackfruit.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Photo: Hussain Shetu
