River, the most powerful way of communication, is being used here differently. People live their lives depending on the river. This river is giving some people to sleep in Dhaka.
Abdur Rahim Bhuyian stands on the creaky dock, watching the sun dip low, turning the river golden. Dhaka, with its endless buildings and noise, feels far away out here. On the water, there is peace—just the gentle sway of the river beneath him. This isn’t a boat he’s stepping onto, but a floating boarding house, a large, worn-out metal structure with two floors, bobbing quietly on the water. Rahim climbs the shaky steps, each one groaning underfoot. Inside, the narrow hallways are lined with tiny cabins, each offering just enough space for a bed, a fan, and a thin mattress. It isn’t much, but for 50 taka a night, it’s a roof—something Rahim desperately needs.
Rahim isn’t from Dhaka. His village is hours away. He has come to the city, hoping to find work and a future. But Dhaka is tough, and even the smallest room on land costs more than he can manage. The floating boarding house, though, is just right—cheap, simple, and with a cool breeze that makes the heat of the city bearable.
He isn’t alone. Around fifty people live here, each with their own story, their own struggles. Some are young, full of hope and dreams. Others, like Rahim, are just trying to get by. These boardings have their own characteristics of people. Some are living for their economical situation, some are escaping from political pressures, and some are just seeing this city newly. Each night, they return to the same swaying cabins, sharing space, stories, and the hardships of city life.
Life on the water isn’t easy. Some nights, the river turns rough, making sleep uneasy. The shared bathrooms are always crowded, and the thin walls offer little privacy. But there is a sense of belonging here. They are all in the same boat, so to speak, trying to make it in Dhaka.
Eventually, Rahim finds a job at a tea stall. It isn’t much, but it’s something. He knows this floating boarding house won’t be his home forever. But for now, it’s enough—a small, steady place to rest as he navigates his way through the vast, restless city.