Farzana Parvin was eagerly waiting in the corner of a dairy farm. Carrying her 19-month-old daughter Tumpa on her lap, she came here from Kayettuli about two hours ago.
By the time she arrived more than one hundred plastic bottles were already lying on the floor in front of the manager’s table.
“It’ll take still more than an hour to get the milk,” commented Farzana. Asked how long she has been buying milk from the farm, she said, “Just a few days when I heard about the poison in the powdered milk.”
If she buys one litre of milk at Tk 60, she can manage two days with that.
More than one hundred people crowded into that small space to buy milk. Wearing black veil, Amena Begum came from Nazimuddin Road, Badrul Hossain from Azimpur, Suman from Chankharpool with more to join the queue.
The customers were different in age, profession, economic class and culture, but they all shared the same worry for their children. Everyone wanted risk-free fresh milk for their kids.
Even a few days ago these people used to buy formula for their children. But the sudden outbreak of melamine fear forces them to turn their back on milk powder.
As they realised the presence of a newsman among them, all of them suddenly started complaining about the role of the government on the issue.
Test results prove that the milk is adulterated, but the government is not taking any action against anyone, they said in anger.
“There are over 30 brands of milk powder on sale in Bangladesh. But the government is testing only eight. Though they found melamine in those brands, they just let the culprits go. And how could they be so sure there is no melamine in the other brands?” said Badrul Hossain.
It was around 4:00pm. The farm-workers were busy washing the floor. Some were feeding the cows. Milking will start soon.
The farm authorities have put up a new signboard that reads, “Nobody is allowed to buy more than one litre at a time.”
The demand for liquid milk is increasing every day. The farm sold more than 200 litres in the morning and another 200 litres that afternoon.
Some people even show up just after the morning prayers to queue up at the gate of the farm, which starts selling milk at 8:00am.
The owner of the farm located in Nimtali does not want publicity at all.
“If you write the name and location of our farm, more people will come here. We are already struggling to meet the existing demand,” he said.
“We used to produce sweetmeats and yogurt with this milk. But now we are giving maximum priority on selling milk as it is very necessary for our young ones,” the owner said requesting to remain unnamed.
Tags: Melamine
Categories: Bangla, Bangladesh, Bangladesh Economy, Bangladesh News, Daily Bangladesh News, Economy, News
