Bashundhara Group, the country’s largest business conglomerate, has accorded reception to social worker Sanzida Islam Choya for winning BBC’s recognition as one of 100 most influential women for her fight against child marriage. 

Choya, a member of Shuvo Sangha, a social organisation of Bashundhara Group’s Bengali daily Kaler Kantho, ranked 21st on the BBC list published on December 6.

Choya is associated with social organisation Ghashforing (Grasshopper) and Shuvo Sangha. She was first shocked at the story of child marriage of her mother. Later, she started a crusade against child marriage in the locality. Fighting poverty and other obstacles, she is continuing study and now honours first-year student of management department of Gurudayal Government College in Kishoreganj.

The Bashundhara Group felicitated her for the great recognition at a function held at the conglomerate’s East West Media Group Ltd (EWMGL) conference room at Bashundhara Residential Area in the capital on Tuesday, reports Daily Sun.

Imdadul Haq Milan, Editor-in-Chief of the daily Kaler Kantho and Director of EWMGL, handed over a crest and honorarium to Sanzida Islam Choya as part of reception.

Bashundhara Group will gift her a sewing machine and a laptop within one months, apart from giving Tk 10,000 per month, he said. 

Imdadul Haq Milan said, “Sanzida Islam Choya is working with Ghashforing and Shuvo Sangha. I am very happy to know that she has appeared on BBC list of 100 most influential women of the world. Bashundhara Group has stood beside her to materialise her dream.”

Terming fight against child marriage a great work, he said Shuvo Sangha will extend financial support to Choya to facilitate uninterrupted accomplishment of her work.

Haider Ali, Deputy Editor of Kaler Kantho, said to Choya, “You should go ahead with the work which has earned great recognition and appreciation. Keep in mind that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also appeared on the BBC influential women’s list which includes you. So, you should make best use of your time for welfare of the society.”

Sanzida Islam Choya said, “My mother was a victim of child marriage. Therefore, she was sick most of the time. I saw her pains and sufferings. This prompted me to fight child marriage. I got supports of Shuvo Sangha in this regard.”

About reception, she said the recognition of Bashundhara Group and Shuvo Sangha has inspired her to continue social work with more enthusiasm.

Shuvo Sangha Director Zakaria Jaman, Central Office Secretary Mahdi Ashraf Jibon, Publicity Secretary Shah Hasibur Rahman and Choya’s younger brother Sadman Hafiz Likhon were also present.

Bd-pratidin English/Golam Rosul