A Trove of Treasures

Around 30 years ago, the ship-breaking industry in Chattogram began to take off. As ships from all over the world came for their last hurrah, traders gathered around them, like hawks around a fallen prey, ready to pick up the pieces. And pick up the pieces, they did. In a short time, markets selling goods recovered from ships began springing up. Today, such shops still line the roads in Faujdarhat, Bhatia and Madam Bibirhat, near the Dhaka-Chattogram highway. They offer plenty of goods, having something for everybody. Antique pieces, kitchenware, marine chronometres, boats, motors and much more are all being sold at these shops. However, as the ship-breaking industry reaches its twilight, so, perhaps, do these shops. Many shop owners say they have resorted to selling Chinese imitations. But the end is not as near as it seems as there are plenty of things that can yet be found at these shops! 

Photo: Raijib Raihan