60 underprivileged women receive sewing machines in Khulna

60 underprivileged and destitute women in Khulna have received sewing machines from Bashundhara Shuvosangho, opening a new path toward self-reliance and income generation.

One of the recipients, Hanufa Begum of Maheshwarpasha in Daulatpur, shared her struggles and hopes. “In a family of six with four children, the earning member is now confined at home due to an accident. It has become difficult to bear the children’s school expenses. We don’t even have a proper place to live. This sewing machine feels like new life to me. At least now I can work, earn, and survive. I searched everywhere for work but found none. I hope Bashundhara Group continues to stand beside people like this,” she said emotionally.

Hanufa was not alone in her sentiment. All 60 women, who have been fighting daily battles for survival, expressed similar feelings after receiving the sewing machines.

The distribution programme was held on Saturday at the Khulna Collegiate Girls’ School auditorium in Khalishpur, organised by Bashundhara Shuvosangho.

The chief guest at the event was Professor Faruk-e-Azam, principal of Government Haji Muhammad Muhsin College.

Zakaria Jaman, director of Bashundhara Shuvosangho, delivered the welcome address.

Speakers at the event included Mizanur Rahman Milton, general secretary of the Khulna Regional Newspaper Council and editor of the local daily Khulnanchal; Syeda Ishrat Jahan, acting principal of Khulna Collegiate Girls’ School; Maulana Hafez Abed Ali Sharif, Pesh imam of Khulna Power Station Jame Mosque; Shahina Khatun, headmistress of Newsprint Secondary School; and Shahidul Islam, headmaster of Khalishpur Secondary School, among others.

Addressing the programme, chief guest Professor Faruk-e-Azam said Bangladesh is a poor country with low income, savings, and capital, which in turn leads to limited investment.

“This cycle reinforces poverty. To break it, employment initiatives are essential, and this is not possible for the government alone,” he said.

Praising Bashundhara Group, he added that creating employment opportunities for underprivileged women is an example worthy of replication by others.

“Many mothers and sisters run their households with just one sewing machine. Today’s recipients will also become self-reliant in the days ahead. I hope Bashundhara continues such initiatives,” he said.

In his remarks, Zakaria Jaman said Bashundhara Group stood beside underprivileged women as part of its social responsibility.

“This organisation has been supporting people during various crises across the country. Under the guidance of Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, Bashundhara Shuvosangho’s free sewing training and sewing machine distribution will help transform the lives of disadvantaged women,” he said.

The women expressed happiness at receiving the sewing machines free of cost, saying it would help them become financially independent. Another recipient, Mandira Roy Puja, shared her dream, saying, “Just as I have benefited from Bashundhara Group, I also want to stand beside others according to my ability, alongside my own work, so that they too can become self-reliant.”

SOURCE : Bangladesh Pratidin