Ansar Ali is from Galachipa upazila of Patuakhali. He came to Dhaka in 1998. Since then he has been earning his living by driving a pedal rickshaw. He lives in a rickshaw garage in Shanir Akhra. He has married two of his daughters in his six-member family. His elder son Shahidur Rehman (18) studies in a Qaumi Madrasa in Barishal. His younger son, Maroof Hussain (14), was studying, but had to leave due to financial constraints. He lives in a village house with his mother Khalida Begum.
Ansar Ali said that he ate a paratha worth Taka 10 and a plate of fried vegetables for breakfast. He said, “I try to eat as cheaply as possible. Sometimes I go without eating. If I eat rice, I look for cheap vegetables with it. I don’t remember the last time I ate fish or meat. A few months ago, I ate meat on an invitation.”
He said that earlier it was possible to achieve something by driving a rickshaw, but now the opportunities are not the same as before. Mentioning that pedal-powered rickshaws have lost popularity, Ansar Ali said, “Earlier, even after paying the rickshaw deposit, I would be left with 600 to 700 taka. Now, after paying 100 taka for a rickshaw, I would barely have 150 to 200 taka left.”