Divided On The Waters: Bangladesh

The divide between the poor and the rich is stark in most developing countries. It is clearly seen in the photographs, taken by Suraj Shakya, of a commuter steamer-boat going from the southern city of Barisal to Dhakka, the capital of Bangladesh.

Boats are often the mode of transportation in a country veined by rivers flowing from Himalayas of the neighboring countries. Waterway is well net-worked and hundreds of passengers traveling from one city to another, do so by paddle-boat steamers. The system is old as the trains in India, both of which were introduced by the British during the Raj.

The luxury room is a double bed, with TV and attached bath. It accomodates up to five people. It sits right above the deck, on which about a hundred Bangalis accomodate themselves. The suite costs up to 3,000 takkas, and the deck, up to 50 takkas.

“Hundreds of passengers accommodate themselves in the deck class of the steamer headed from Barisal to Dhaka, risking their lives as they travel in hazardous conditions,” said Shakya via e-mail.  Check for travel reviews.