Under the government's "One District One Product" programme, a drive is beginning to present each district's heritage and distinct identity. Chandpur district is ahead in this, and on Friday it presents its identity and pride with various ceremonies. Its slogan: "Chandpur, the home of hilsa."

The richness of Bengali identity is full of the look and aroma of hilsa. Though a deep-sea fish, hilsa spends part of its life in river water. Just as an expectant daughter returns to her parents' home, the hilsa's favourite address is the Meghna, and the Meghna belongs to Chandpur, the district of the merchant Chand Sadagar. All the praise of Chandpur, from beginning to end, seems to revolve around hilsa.

In Bengali literature, culture and folk life, hilsa is a unique source of pride. One may find a Bengali who does not eat rice, but hardly one who does not like hilsa.

Hilsa disappears through human causes, and returns in shoals to Chandpur through human care. Hilsa glitters on the Meghna's current, is piled at the ghats, reaches 160 million people and travels to countries around the world carrying a Bengali identity.

Source: Shykh Seraj, Hridoye Mati O Manush. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.