‘Netaji was here, so was Masterda’
Taufiq, Minhaj, Ishita and Satyajit, four students of Chittagong University, went to have tea and sweets at Bose Brothers, a historic confectionery located in the port city's Nandan Kanan area, on a Wednesday afternoon.
"I grew up hearing the rich history of this shop from my grandfather. I have wanted to visit the place ever since," said Ishita.
"This is my first visit to this place," she added.
"When Ishita told us the history of the shop, we wanted to have some sweets and tea at this place," said Satyajit.
"We have heard that the shop is over 100-year-old and heroes of the anti-British movement, including Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Masterda Surja Sen and Pritilata Waddedar, came to the shop regularly," he added.
"The place is a pride of Chattogram, although not everyone knows about it," said Taufiq.
Located in the intersection of Nandan Kanan, this premium sweet shop, Bose Brothers was established in 1920.
While visiting the shop, it was seen that different kinds of sweet items were being showcased. Besides, fast food items, including Singara, Samosa and cake, were also on sale.
Customers ordered tea while chit-chatting in the shop. Some eight staffers were seen serving them.
Tarun Kanti Bose, a member of the third generation of the Bose family, now runs the shop. He said it was established by his grandfather.
"My father was very young when my grandfather established the shop in 1920. I have heard from my grandfather and father that Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose came to the shop whenever he visited Chattogram," said Tarun.
He, however, clarified that Netaji was not related to his forefathers by blood, as the name Bose brothers might confuse some.
"My father Sudhangshu Bimal Bose was also an anti-British revolutionary and a close associate of Masterda Surja Sen," he said.
"After the demise of my grandfather, my father took over the shop. After my father's death in 1988, I started running the place," he added.
The shop also bears memories of the Language Movement, liberation struggle and anti-autocratic movement, he said.
"We have been running the shop for over 100 years."
Ranjit Roy Chowdhury, a nephew of Sudhangshu Bimal Bose, said the Bose family is struggling to save the ancestral business in the present situation.
"The government should take initiatives to protect the historic shop," he said.
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