Desk Report:
For husbandless Julekha Akhter, a sewing machine is not just a tool, but a new way of life. This woman, who has been struggling to survive with her three children for a long time, now has a job opportunity.
Like her, 30 destitute women from different unions of Shibpur upazila of Narsingdi have received sewing machines after three months of training. They hope that once the wheels of this machine turn, the family will turn around and the future of their children will change.
With the support of Bashundhara Group, the country’s top industrial organization, and the initiative of Bashundhara Shuva Sangha, sewing machines were handed over to 30 trained women at the Shibpur Upazila Auditorium last Saturday. They were also given certificates, fruit and medicinal plant saplings, and books during the ceremony.
Mahbubur Rahman Monir, central advisor of Bashundhara Shuva Sangh, presided over the program as the chief guest, Manjur Elahi, MP from Narsingdi-3 (Shibpur) constituency. Imdadul Haque Milon, Ekushey Padak-winning writer and Bashundhara Group advisor, inaugurated the program.
The discussant was the administrator of Narsingdi Zilla Parishad, freedom fighter Tofazzal Hossain Master. Shibpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Farzana Yasmin, Shibpur Upazila BNP President, freedom fighter Abul Haris Rikabder, and Shibpur Police Station OC Mohammad Kohinoor Mia were special guests.
After losing her husband, Julekha Akhter had to shoulder all the responsibilities of the family. With no reliable source of income, it became difficult for her to provide for her children’s food and education expenses. Now, the sewing machine she received after training is showing her a new light of hope.
Sanjida Akhter, a beneficiary who was excited to receive the sewing machine, said, “I am a girl from a low-income family. Through training, we have become skilled in sewing. Now, after getting the machine, we will be able to work and become self-reliant. We will also be able to take care of our family. I express my gratitude to the Bashundhara Group and the people concerned.”
Mahbubur Rahman Monir, central advisor of Bashundhara Shuva Sangh, said that this initiative has been taken with the aim of making poor women self-reliant by making them skilled through training. The sewing machines will help them engage in income-generating activities. In addition, tree saplings have been distributed among the beneficiaries to protect the environment.
Imdadul Haque Milon said that Bashundhara Shuva Sangh has been working for the sustainable development of rural poor women for several years with the help of Bashundhara Group. In continuation of this, women of Shibpur have been trained and given sewing machines so that they can create their own employment. Humanitarian activities are being conducted across the country under the overall guidance of the Chairman of Bashundhara Group and will continue in the future.
In his speech as the chief guest, Manzoor Elahi said, “This initiative to make poor women work-oriented is a shining example of humanity. Through sewing machines, women will be able to earn their own income and play an important role in fulfilling family responsibilities.” He called on Bashundhara Group to continue such humanitarian initiatives in Shibpur in the future.
