Sachchida Nanda Dey Saday,Ashashuni (Satkhira) 

Bangladesh is known as a land of six seasons. Once, each season announced its presence in its own distinct way. However, due to climate change and unchecked interference with the environment, the natural rhythm of the seasons has been disrupted. The diversity of the six seasons is no longer as apparent as it once was.

Traditionally, the monsoon—comprising the Bengali months of Asharh and Srabon—meant continuous rainfall. This year in Ashashuni, the first half of the monsoon saw even more rainfall than usual. As heavy rain caused disruptions to daily life by mid-season, it also brought renewed activity to a particular group of craftsmen—the umbrella repairmen.

In the marketplaces of Ashashuni upazila, repairing umbrellas on the roadside is now a common monsoon sight. Especially in markets like Ashashuni Sadar, Budhhata, Bardal, and Dargahpur, these umbrella craftsmen become increasingly active during the rainy season.

One such craftsman is Robin Das (45), who sits at the corner of Budhhata market. “I’ve been repairing umbrellas for 20 years. Work increases during the rainy season. In the past, people came from different districts to do this. Now we, the locals of Ashashuni, carry on this work,” he said.

Younger artisan Riazul (32) echoed similar sentiments: “There isn’t much work during other times of the year. But when the monsoon arrives, everyone brings in umbrellas for repair. Sometimes people bring three to four umbrellas at once.”

However, a major issue these craftsmen face is the lack of a permanent workspace. Although they work on the sidewalks, sometimes market authorities or police ask them to vacate the area, creating uncertainty.

Rafiqul Islam, another repairman working in Bardal market, shared, “We are poor people. We repair umbrellas sitting on the roadside. But no one is willing to give us a proper place to work. We want the Ashashuni Upazila Parishad or Union Council to allocate a designated space for us so we can work peacefully.”

This demand is not just from Rafiqul, Robin Das, or Jabbar—it is shared by all umbrella repairmen in Ashashuni. While they help protect others from getting drenched during the monsoon, they too deserve a safe shelter—a designated place where they can work without fear of eviction.

Today, as climate change continues to disrupt our environment, even a simple object like an umbrella becomes essential. And those who help maintain these umbrellas—the repairmen—deserve recognition, stability, and dignity in their own lives.