As the streets of Dhaka come alive with vibrant hues of red and green flags, Victory Day in Bangladesh is ushered in with an unparalleled sense of excitement and pride.
Against this backdrop of national celebration, one young flag seller, Rana Khan, stands out as a symbol of youthful enthusiasm and entrepreneurial spirit.
At just 18 years old, Rana is infusing an extra dose of happiness into the upcoming Victory Day celebrations as he sells red and green flags of various sizes on the streets of Dhaka, a very common sight in prelude to the Victory Day.
The city streets are adorned with people proudly carrying red and green flags, creating a festive ambiance in preparation for the momentous day. Citizens, both young and old, eagerly approach Rana to acquire these patriotic symbols, adding to the celebratory spirit.
As he walks through the bustling streets of Dhaka, Rana is a picture of energy, a college student on a mission to spread the spirit of Victory Day.
In a conversation with Dhaka Tribune, Rana said: "It is the month of victory. The joy of selling flags this month is different. Everyone seems very happy, and many have bought flags from me. Everyone, young and old, comes to me to buy flags."
From the crack of dawn till nightfall, with hands full of flags arranged with meticulous care, Rana tirelessly sells flags.
Hailing from Sylhet, Rana made his journey to Dhaka specifically for this celebratory venture. Despite his parents residing in Sylhet, Rana has immersed himself in the festivities of Dhaka, temporarily staying with a relative. He expresses his plans: "We live in Sylhet. It's been 5-6 days since I came to Dhaka. I am currently staying at a relative's house. I will go back to Sylhet after Victory Day."
Talking about the best time of business, he said flag selling is more lucrative in the evening than in the morning.
He said: "I think I started selling flags with a capital of Tk1,000. That has now become Tk2,000. In Dhaka city, selling flags is very profitable. I have never sold a flag before in my life. I am doing it for the first time in my life "
The flags Rana offers come in various sizes, each telling a story of national pride.
"Different sizes of flags have different prices. I keep the small flags at Tk20 and the biggest ones at Tk300. Besides, there are different brands of the national flag, the prices of which start from Tk20,” he said.
Beyond the hustle and bustle of flag-selling, Rana's aspirations are firmly grounded in his education.
A second-year college student, he envisions using the proceeds from his flag sales to support his academic pursuits.
"This money from selling the flag will be very useful for my education expenses, though, at this time, the mood of Victory Day is more important than making money. Everyone is very happy. It's really nice to see them," Rana shared.
