Rice Mills – Bogura, Bangladesh

When I walked into the rice mills of Bangladesh, I expected to hear the hum of machinery, but I found the hum of life. Families lived and worked together, turning grains of rice into food not only for others but for their close-knit communities. Parents worked with practised precision while children ran barefoot through the mill, their laughter weaving between the sounds of grinding and husking.

Older siblings played caretakers, carrying toddlers on their hips or sharing grains of rice as if they were treasures. They proudly showed me their world, where everyone had a role, neighbours became extended family, and help was always call away.

Their joy was contagious. Despite the hard work and humble surroundings, the warmth and sense of togetherness made the mill feel like more than just a workplace; it was their home. I left with a smile, inspired by their community spirit and the happiness they created, one grain at a time.