Nana Halim, a 30-yr-old Khulna delicacy
Around 3:00pm, South Central Road of Khulna city remains almost empty due to the scorching heat. However, an opposite scenario can be noticed on the footpath in front of Government Pioneer Women's College. With a canopy overhead, vendors have set up iftar stalls. Of these stalls, "Nana Special Halim" continues to gather a large crowd.
For the people of the city, Nana Halim is the go-to destination for iftar delicacy. What's more, it's only sold during Ramadan, making it all the more precious.
The owner -- Hazrat Ali (78) -- has been selling halim every Ramadan since 1993. Since everyone fondly calls him Nana, the halim achieved popularity under the brand of "Nana Halim".
Visiting the spot recently, this correspondent saw some customers had brought their own containers from home. But at the shop, the halim's served in earthen pots. Seven employees of the shop were filling the bowls and handing them over to the customers. Hazrat Ali kept the accounts and monitored the rush.
Farid Uddin, one of the helping hands of Hazrat Ali, said, "I've been Nana's helper for six years. Nana starts cooking the halim at 7:00am. By 1:30pm, he is finished, and sales begin at 2:00pm."
However, the cost of the halim has gone up, said some residents. The shop owner said it's due to price hike in commodities.
Mofasar Lelin came to buy halim from Iqbal Nagar area. He said he arrived there early, since crowds are larger nearing iftar time, and the shop often tends to run out.
This correspondent managed to talk to Hazrat Ali amid his busy schedule.
"I make 130 to 150 kilos of halim every day during Ramadan. In the first hours, at the start of the sales, more than half of it gets finished. My main goal is to give Khulna residents a taste of halim free from adulteration."
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