70 year old Jabbar supports family by cutting fish

Abdul Jabbar Bepari gave up his fish business many years ago due to his age. But his family responsibilities did not allow him to stop working. So even at the age of 70, Abdul Jabbar Bepari of Kachua upazila in Bagerhat earns his livelihood by sitting at the market and cutting fish.

He cuts fish four days a week at Kachua Hat and Dargahat Market near the Khan Jahan Ali Shrine. His eight-member family depends on this small income. He also has to cover the educational expenses of his children.

Abdul Jabbar Bepari has been working as a fish cutter for about 10 years. He sits at Kachua Hat every Monday and Thursday and at Dargahat Market every Tuesday and Friday. He sits on one side of the market from morning and sometimes continues cutting fish for customers until evening. The small amount he earns at the end of the day barely covers his family’s expenses.

At one time, Jabbar Bepari ran a fish business at Kachua and Dargahat markets. He was physically strong then and earned a good income from the business. As he grew older, his physical ability declined. He could no longer carry heavy baskets around the market or handle the hard work involved in the fish business. However, his family responsibilities did not decrease. So, about a decade ago, he was forced to choose fish cutting as his profession.

Currently, Jabbar Bepari cuts various types of fish at Kachua Hat and Dargahat Market. Whether the fish is large or small, the small fee he receives for cutting each fish is one of the main sources of income for his family. He has to cover the costs of rice, lentils, groceries and daily necessities as well as his children’s education with this income.

Abdul Jabbar Bepari said, “I am now 70 years old. I used to run a fish business. I was physically strong then and could work very hard. Now I am older and cannot do heavy work like before. So, I am working as a fish cutter.”

He further said, “I sit at Kachua Hat and Dargahat four days a week. I have to cut fish from morning. I run my family with whatever money I earn at the end of the day. There are eight people in my family. I also have expenses for my children’s education. My income is low but if I do not work, there will be no food on the table.”

Jabbar Bepari said, “I have grown old and have various physical difficulties. Still, I have no opportunity to sit idle. I want to continue working as long as I have the strength. My only wish is that my children study and become well established in life.”

Harun Sheikh, a fish trader at Kachua Hat, said Jabbar Bepari has been cutting fish at the market for a long time. He regularly comes to the market. Although he suffers physically, he has to work for his family.

Munna Sheikh, a customer at Dargahat Market, said he has seen Jabbar Bepari cutting fish for many years. Despite his age, he continues to work. He receives a small amount of money for cutting fish and uses that income to cover his family’s expenses.

Munna Sheikh, a customer at Dargahat Market, said he has seen Jabbar Bepari cutting fish for many years. Despite his age, he continues to work. He receives a small amount of money for cutting fish and uses that income to cover his family’s expenses.