Winter Delicacy at TSC!

Photo: Kazi Tahsin Agaz Apurbo

The moment you hear the term 'Sheeter Pitha' (winter cakes), a perpetual village image might pop up in your mind. Sitting beside the earthen stoves with your mother, keeping a hawk's eye on the preparation and finally eating the piping hot Bhapa Pitha (steamed rice cake) with Khejur Guur (date palm jaggery) will surely make your mouth water! 

However, over the years, the scenario has immensely changed. Even in this busy city, some places for public gatherings have also become vibrant spots for having pithas!

Let's take the example of TSC (Teacher-Student Centre, University of Dhaka). As it is regarded a very popular place for the youth for day-to-day addafying, at this time of the year, the numerous makeshift shops of pithas have added a new dimension to the area. Besides, as bhapa pitha is very easy to prepare compared to the other items and the cost of making is also little, the venture brings smiles on the faces of the sellers, giving an opportunity to earn some extra money.

“I have been doing this temporary business here for over the last seven years,” says 26-year-old Kona Akter, a very popular Pitha seller at the TSC area. “Every evening, especially on holidays, I along with my four staff members don't get any time to talk!” Kona is also a student, pursuing her graduation from the department of Marketing at the Begum Badrunnesa Govt. Women College. 

One would be astonished seeing their skills and speed of making bhapa pithas. The sellers hurriedly take pounded rice mix in a tiny platter, mix coconut shavings, and finally put stuffed date molasses on the surface of the mixture. After steaming the entire mixture for a minute or two, they provide the customers the delicious bites of hot and fluffy bhapa pithas. 

The price of this delicacy is also very reasonable, in most cases ranges between five to ten takas, depending on the size.  Pitha sellers of TSC usually collect the ingredients from the old part of town earn between 700 to 800 takas daily. 

“Since winter has set in, I cannot think of a single evening without the Bhapa Pithas,” says 23-year-old Fariana Leena, a student from University of Dhaka. “As my exams are ongoing, and I cannot manage any time to go home this winter, I find it really enjoyable tasting the winter delights with friends."

Along with the students and youths, people of all walks of life flock together to have pithas at the TSC. “As soon as my office hour ends, I regularly come to have winter pithas with my colleagues,” says 36-year-old Shamim Al Mamun, who works at a nearby consultancy firm. 

In this busy city, joyfully eating the piping hot winter pithas with your dearest one at the TSC or bringing some winter delights for your beloved family members can be one of the best memories this winter. 

So, if you have not visited yet but intend to, make sure to drop by TSC and feel the ultimate taste of winter!