The rice nation

Bangladesh is one of the poorest countries in the world. More then half of the entire population earns less than $1 per day and that one wage earner is often the only one in the family.

It does not take long in a discussion for the cost of living to come up. And it is never in glowing terms. Inflation is judged by the cost of one kilo of rice.
That is because a large majority of Bangladeshis live on rice. This can sound stereotypical, like saying about the Mexicans that they eat a lot of beans, or the Italians eat a lot of pasta. But is the truth. Bangladeshis live on rice. They eat rice for every meal. I see it all the time, day after day: rice, fried vegetables, dal (lentils) and a very small piece of some sort of meat or fish. Proteins are at a premium in this country, so it is rice that fills stomachs.

The most Bangladeshis are already living on the brink and it does not take much to push the over it. All it takes is a disruption in their cash flow. It could be natural, like a flow (and this country is prone to that) or man made like a hartal.

I have already been thinking about this business enterprise. There is huge amount of money that people in US are spending trying to lose weight and get fit. I will just start organizing this trips to the Desh. People looking to slim down would be working as rickshaw wallahs for a month or two. I would guarantee the results or their money back. Plus, they will be getting an awesome sun tanning for free!