Curious people crowd every day to the home of farmer Sohag Mridha in Uttar Jhatibunia village of Mirzaganj upazila, Patuakhali, to see the huge bull "Kalo Manik". Sohag Mridha now wants to sell the much-talked-about bull, which was once given as a gift to former prime minister Khaleda Zia. He is asking Tk 22 lakh for the 45-maund animal.
People come from far and near every day to see Kalo Manik, which is about 12 feet long and 6 feet tall. Some take photos, others gaze in wonder at its massive build. It has become a talking point among local people too.
Sohag Mridha said he has raised Kalo Manik like his own child for about seven years. In 2018 he bought a cow for Tk 1 lakh 37 thousand at the local Choita Bazar, and carefully raised a calf she gave birth to. As the calf grew huge, he lovingly named it Kalo Manik.
"I raised it like my own child," Sohag Mridha said. "I am rearing it entirely by local methods with grain feed. It costs about Tk 1,000 to 1,200 a day. This time I have asked Tk 22 lakh, and I will sell if I get a good price."
A gift to Khaleda Zia
He said that on 5 June last year Kalo Manik was taken to Dhaka as a gift for Khaleda Zia. Begum Zia accepted the bull but advised that it be used for the family's well-being.
Sohag's wife Sultana Begum said: "We raised this cow with a lot of hard work and affection. Now we hope we get a fair price."
Neighbour Zafar Mia said: "Sohag raised this cow with great effort. Such a big cow is rarely seen in our area. People come from far away just to see Kalo Manik."
Patuakhali District Livestock Officer Habibur Rahman said the upazila livestock office has given the farmer the necessary advice and support from the start, and guidance is also being given on selling the bull.
Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.
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