From Addiction to Stability: Traditional Drink Vendor Finds New Life in Rajshahi

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For 45-year-old Shariful Islam, the streets of Rajshahi have become a testament to personal redemption. Once trapped in the cycle of substance abuse, Islam has rebuilt his life and secured his family’s future by becoming a local purveyor of “Soloper Ghol,” a traditional yogurt-based beverage hailing from the Ullapara region of Sirajganj.

Islam’s journey toward stability began five years ago during a visit to the Bishwa Ijtema in Tongi. Observing the high demand for the uniquely crafted dairy drink, he recognized a business opportunity in his home city of Rajshahi. Upon his return, he commissioned three specialized carts and established a supply chain directly from Sirajganj. Today, he operates three mobile stalls across Rajshahi, with one stationed near the RDA overpass in the Meherchandi area and another serving the University of Rajshahi campus.

The beverage, known for its century-old preparation technique, has found a dedicated following among Rajshahi residents. Islam manages a daily supply of approximately 200 liters, a figure that often surges past 300 liters during the warmer months. Priced at 100 taka per liter, the inventory is sourced fresh daily via bus from Sirajganj, ensuring that his entire stock is depleted by the end of each day. Local customers, ranging from university students to transport workers, frequently cite the distinct flavor profile of the Soloper Ghol as the primary reason for their patronage.

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Beyond the commercial success, the business has served as a catalyst for Islam’s personal transformation. A resident of Paba upazila and a father of four daughters, Islam credits his family as the driving force behind his recovery. Faced with the responsibility of providing for his children, he chose to abandon his past lifestyle through sheer willpower, rejecting external interventions that had failed in the past.

The financial stability brought by his business has been significant. Over the last few years, Islam has cleared more than 350,000 taka in debt, purchased land, and successfully arranged the marriages of his two eldest daughters, even helping his sons-in-law establish their own businesses. In addition to his thriving ghol operation, he has expanded into the fast-food sector, employing staff to manage a shop. Reflecting on his trajectory, Islam maintains that human potential for change is boundless, noting that the discipline required to maintain his ghol business has been instrumental in his ability to reclaim his life.