Only a few of the Manta community people in Barishal have the basic life skill of counting money. None of their children around at least 5,000 in number go to school. The women cannot even tell their age, sign names, or dial mobile numbers.
The price of hilsa has decreased by around 10 percent in Barishal markets due to higher than usual supply of the fish netted from the Bay of Bengal and various rivers.
Farmers and traders of agricultural products in Barishal, Jhalakathi and Pirojpur are counting the days until June 25, when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will officially open Padma Bridge, as the resulting increase in connectivity will ensure better prices for their produce.