Jamalpur bazar is little ahead of Sadullapur in Gaibandha on the way to Pirganj. A crowd was seen after crossing the bazar. Conversations of people of various ages were heard. Curious people flocked to the big house adjacent to the road. A canopy was erected on the yard. The frontline showcased sewing machines while backline some chairs. Each of the women sat beside her sewing machine. A sigh of happiness swept over their poverty-stricken faces.
Ritu Akter, a recipient, said her father Rezaul Karim is sick. Her mother, Marium Begum, is unable to shoulder their 10-member family. Ritu Akter passed HSC examinations. She continued study upto HSC level depending on borrowings and financial assistance from others. But poverty has prevented her enrollment into BA class. Now, sewing machine is a way-out. She learnt sewing at Shuvosangho training centre. She is now weaving her dream with every stitch. Ritu said she will be able to manage a job after graduation which entails a lot of struggle ahead. “Bashundhara Group has created an opportunity for us. I would like to make best use of it,” she said.
Replying to a query, she said, “No sooner had I learnt about Shuvosangho training centre than I got enrolled into it. I attended all classes and made some clothes.”
About sewing machine, Ritu said she wanted a machine which she could not afford. Bashundhara Group has resolved the problem. “They (Bashundhara Group) will give me sewing machine today. Poverty will no longer haunt me. The sewing machine given by the largest business conglomerate will pave the way for my self-reliance,” she opined.
Not only Ritu Akter but also 19 other helpless girls and women at Jamalpur village in Sadullapur upazila under Gaibandha district have got new way of life.
On May 26, Shuvosangho, a social welfare organisation of Bashundhara Group’s vernacular Bengali daily Kaler Kantho, distributed sewing machines at a ceremony in Jamalpur.
Imdadul Haq Milan, Editor-in-Chief of Kaler Kantho, graced the occasion as the chief guest and handed over sewing machines to the women. Shuvosangho director Zakaria Zaman presided over the programme which was attended by Sadullapur Upazila chairman Shahriar Khan Biplob, Jamalpur Union Parishad chairman Zahid Hasan Mandal Subho, Jamalpur Girls School headmaster Anwarul Islam and Sadullapur Press Club president Tajul Islam.
The 20 women were imparted training on sewing and other related works of tailoring at Shuvosangho centre and they are capable of cutting, sewing and making various kinds of clothes. Bashundhara Group has created scope for materialising their dreams.
Family of eighth grader Risha Akter is worst-affected by the extreme poverty. Falling from tree, her father Rashidul Islam became critically injured. One of his legs is materially damaged. He works in a nearby rice mill and earns a little. Risha’s mother Rekha Begum is engaged in soil digging work. Risha would like to contribute to the family. Hearing of training, she participated in it.
“It is a great opportunity for me. I would like to stand on my own feet. New machine will enable me to work much and earn. Meeting cost of education, I will support family. To be a woman entrepreneur is my objective,” she said.
Rabeya Basri is also an eighth grader. Her face bears shadow of poverty. But she is brave enough. Her father Wazed Akanda cultivates lands of others while mother is a domestic help. The couple has one daughter and two sons and is unable to lead five-member family. Rabeya is struggling to continue her education for lack of money. She knew some sewing works. So, she decided to learn more about tailoring to be able to earn money and continue study.
Therefore, she got enrolled into training centre financed by Bashundhara Group. She attentively followed the lessons to finish the course, qualify final assessment and obtain a sewing machine. Today, the wings of dream have unfolded getting new machine. She is now owner of it. The shadow of poverty on her face is replaced by smile.
With firm determination, Rabeya said, “Who will stop me? Bashundhara Group has shown me the way to self-reliance. Apart from supporting parents, I will meet the cost of my education.” Alike Rabeya, other trainees were full of confidence and determinations.
In his address, Imdadul Haq Milan said “The country is flooded with affluent people but a very few of them feel humanistic urge to stand by the helpless and hapless. Bashundhara Group is an exception. Chairman of this largest industrial conglomerate Ahmed Akbar Sobhan has ordered to make women of all districts and upazilas self-reliant gradually. He asked for establishing training centres everywhere of the country in this regard.”
Standing on own feet, the women will contribute to development of family, society and country, he said, adding that the progress of the society is dependent upon progress of the women.
“Being instructed by Bashundhara Group Chairman, I am announcing that the largest corporate body will facilitate employment of the women after their successful completion of training. Apart from Jamalpur, women of all other places will also get the opportunity. The children who are unable to continue study for poverty will get stipend and other financial supports,” he said.
Being a new experience of this type, the training centre has drawn much attention of the villagers since its inception. The sewing training started journey at a rented house. The distressed women rushed to the centre from remote places. Sewing machine distribution ceremony witnessed a similar picture as a rickshaw puller’s wife named Afsana Begum hailed from the edge of the village. “I am yet to receive training but I pray for long life and welfare of sirs of Bashundhara Group,” she said.
Upazila Parishad chairman Shahriar Khan Biplob said, “Bashundhara Group has set a rare example of humanistic activities. Its initiative to make women of the remote village of Sadullapur self-reliant is talk of the day. The very presence of Imdadul Haq Milan in sewing machine distribution ceremony bears testimony to serious dedication of Bashundhara Group in this regard.”
Wishing long life of Bashundhara Group Chairman and others concerned, UP chairman Zahid Hasan Mandal Subho said, “The insolvent women will benefit from the training centre, if continues to operate. Let noble efforts of Shuvosangho be continued.”
Sadullapur Press Club president Tajul Islam said every initiative of Bashundhara Group reflects its commitment towards the country and its people. Giving foods to thousands of people amid Covid-19 pandemic received much acclaim.”
He cited example of constructing houses for destitute people, granting stipends to poor students and facilitating economic emancipation of the insolvent women by the largest industrial conglomerate. He welcomed the charitable and social welfare initiatives of it.
Jamalpur Girls School headmaster Anwarul Islam said many of recipients of sewing machines were his students, adding that the training will boost confidence of them.
The trainee housewives and girls shared sad stories of their poverty and sufferings with Imdadul Haq Milan.
With crying voice, Ritu Khatun said her father is unemployed because of illness and her mother supports the family working at other’s house. Ritu passed HSC this year but poverty has blocked her honours admission. Her study is about to be closed. However, the sewing machine gives impetus and encourages her to be self-reliant. She wants to pursue higher education and do job. In reply, Imdadul Haq Milan said Bashundhara Group and Shuvosangho will facilitate her higher study. He said the poverty stricken students of schools and colleges will get stipends.
At the end of distribution of sewing machines, Shuvosangho library comprising 400 books was inaugurated. Students started to visit the library. Imdadul Haq Milan talked to 30 students who came to the library and reiterated all-out supports of the largest business conglomerate to ensure uninterrupted study of the poor children in the area. Later, he visited the project of Gaibandha agriculture entrepreneur Kibria Mandal.
Humayun Ahmed Biplab, Atiqur Rahman, Tanu Roy, Mahbub Rahman Rony, Debi Saha, Jannatul Maha Mim, Ahsania Taslim Snigdha, Ahsan Azim Naim, Saikat Pradhan, Joy Kumar Das, Mithun Kumar Sarker, Ashikur Rahman and Saidur Rahman coordinated the whole events.
BDST: 1355 HRS, JUN 03, 2023
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