At a time when the prices of daily essentials continue to climb, the idea of a cup of tea costing only Tk 2 may sound unbelievable.

But in Thakurgaon's Chowrangi Bazar, it remains a very real and refreshing reality.

For decades, Nur Islam of Barpuki village, located near the bazar, has been selling tea at the same humble price, defying inflation and offering a rare gesture of generosity.

A visit to Chowrangi Bazar in Thakurgaon Sadar upazila, about 13 kilometres southwest of the district headquarters, confirms this enduring act of kindness.

On Friday afternoon, the 75-year-old tea vendor was seen smiling as he served customers from a modest, timeworn stall tucked into a corner of the bazar.

After sipping a cup of milk tea, this correspondent struck up a conversation with him.

Nur Islam said he began his tea business shortly after the Liberation War at Shibganj Bazar under the same upazila. For many years, he sold a cup of tea for just 25 paisa. In the 1990s, he raised the price to Tk 2 per cup.

However, as rent at Shibganj Bazar became unaffordable, he was forced to relocate to Chowrangi Bazar sometime after the 1990s.

Even after moving, he had to shift his stall twice. Now, he operates from a thatched room for which he pays Tk 500 in monthly rent.

The prices of sugar, processed tea, and cow's milk have all increased significantly over the years, but the price of a cup of tea at his stall remains unchanged.

Asked how he continues to offer tea at Tk 2 despite the soaring cost of ingredients, he simply replied, "The business is still running."

"As long as I have the physical ability to run this tea stall, I will continue selling each cup of tea for Tk 2, that is my wish," he added.

In addition to tea, he sells items like khorma, papar for Tk 2 each, well below current market rates. Bakery items such as biscuits and bread are sold at market prices.

"Most of my customers are low-income people from nearby villages. They come here for tea and leave with a smile," he said. "As long as I can run my shop and offer items at lower prices, I don't see any problem."

He makes daily sales of Tk 2,000 to Tk 2,500, with the profit helping to support his family.

Mohammad Ali, 80, of Paikpara village, said he has been visiting the stall regularly for tea for about 20 years.

"Sometimes, I willingly pay more than the actual price and get upset when he insists on selling tea at such a low price compared to the current market rate," he said.

Al Mamun Jibon, a local reporter and freelancer who visited the stall, said, "Most restaurants in village markets and town areas serve pre-boiled tea, which lacks proper flavour."

"But elderly Nur Islam prepares tea freshly and adds cow's milk on the spot. That's why I get the real taste of tea here," he added.

"Despite living below the poverty line, he continues to serve tea and other food items at low prices, guided by his unwavering honesty," Mamun said.

Nur Nabi, 25, a resident of the village, said most restaurants and tea stalls in the bazar sell tea for Tk 5 per cup.

"Earlier, some owners tried to raise the price to Tk 10, like in other bazaars across the upazila, but they failed, people pointed to Nur Islam's stall as an example," he said.

Kismat Ali, 65, owner of Tin Bhai Restaurant in the bazar, said, "We don't know how he manages to sell tea at that price. We sell it for Tk 5 per cup, beyond that, I have nothing to say."

Nur Islam lives with his two sons, a daughter, and several grandchildren. One of his sons works as a mason, while the other helps him at the stall. His daughter is married and lives in a nearby village.

He has yet to receive any benefits under the government's social safety net programmes, as his date of birth was mistakenly recorded as 1975 on his national identity card.

When contacted, Ishrat Farzana, deputy commissioner of Thakurgaon, said, "Instead of blindly following others, the elderly man continues to earn a living with integrity, and it is people like him who truly deserve our support."

"If there is an opportunity to allocate a plot for a shop in that market, we, on behalf of the district administration, would like to facilitate it," she added.