On June 18, at 1 PM, a heartwarming initiative brought smiles to the faces of tea workers at the Keowachara tea garden in Sylhet. Seasonal fruits, including mangoes, jackfruits, and blackberries, were distributed among workers at a local non-government school within the tea garden, offering a rare treat to families struggling with financial hardship.

Sujata Baraik, a tea worker who attended the distribution with her two-year-old son, shared her struggles: “After keeping us without work for two or three months, we get paid for just two or three weeks. I can’t even provide three meals a day for my children, so how can I afford fruits? When I heard someone was distributing fruits in the tea garden, I rushed to get my name listed. If my children can eat some fruits, it will keep them healthy and happy.” Sujata’s joy was evident as she handed fruits to her child.

The Keowachara tea garden, operated under the state-owned National Tea Company (NTC), has left its workers without wages for nearly three months. Many workers, including women and men, resort to collecting wild greens from the garden and selling them by the roadside to afford basic necessities. For these workers, seasonal fruits remain an unaffordable luxury, making this distribution a significant event.

Putla Das, another tea worker, expressed gratitude: “Fruits are so expensive. We can’t afford to buy them. That’s why I’m thrilled to receive these fruits. I’ll share them with my whole family.”

Similarly, Kiran Bhumij, who has been grappling with unpaid wages for months, said, “We’re struggling to manage our households. I collect wild greens daily and sell them by the roadside. With the little money I earn, if I buy a kilo of rice, I can’t afford oil or spices. Buying fruits is a luxury for us.”

The fruit distribution was organized by social worker Choudhury Jannat Rakhi, who has previously provided food to daily laborers in Sylhet’s colonies, slums, and buildings. “On the advice of a journalist friend, I decided to distribute fruits in the tea garden,” Rakhi explained. “After speaking with the tea workers, I realized the extent of their hardships. Every person has a responsibility toward their country and society. I urge all affluent individuals to stand by these disadvantaged tea workers.”

This small act of kindness brought a moment of relief and joy to the tea workers, highlighting the dire circumstances they face and the importance of community support.