It had been raining heavily since morning. Despite this, Cumilla Victoria Govt College auditorium was filled to the brim. As many as 200 women rushed from 10 upazilas in Cumilla.

A guardian accompanied each of them. Some of them even brought their loving child with them. A big smile is on their faces! On behalf of Bashundhara Group, a sewing machine will be handed over to each of them after a while. All of the women came from impoverished families.

Receiving the gifts, the women got overwhelmed. Earlier, these women underwent a three-month training course for free at Bashundhara Shuvosangho training centre.

On the day, distinguished guests distributed sewing machines among the trained women at a colourful ceremony, Daily Sun reports.

The participating women informed that not only a dream, but the group has shown them a path to attain self-sufficiency. Sewing machines were handed over to 200 poor women of Homna, Daudkandi, Muradnagar, Chandina, Debidwar, Laksam, Monoharganj, Lalmai, Chauddagram and Nangalkot upazilas in Cumilla. 

In his welcome address, Imdadul Haq Milan, chief editor of Kaler Kantho, highlighted the activities of Shuvosangho taking support from Bashundhara Group.

The colourful programme was addressed by heroic freedom fighter AKM Bahauddin Bahar, a lawmaker elected from Cumilla-6 (Sadar) constituency and also president of Cumilla city Awami League, Md Abul Kalam Azad, a member of the parliament from Cumilla-8, Bashundhara Group Advisor Maynal Hossain Chowdhury, Cumilla Police Super Md Abdul Mannan, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Cumilla, Pankaj Barua, Principal of Cumilla Victoria Government College, Prof Dr Abu Jafar Khan, Bashundhara Shuvosangho Cumilla unit's Chief Advisor and founder of CCN Science and Technology University, Dr Tariqul Islam Chowdhury, and others.

Everyone present there highly praised the initiative of Bashundhara Group and the humanitarian acts of Bashundhara Shuvosangho. They commented saying that Bashundhara Group has shown them a path to stand on their own feet.

Thanking Bashundhara, they said that they believe that the group would continue similar initiatives in the future for the prosperity of the country and the welfare of its people. 

Shatabdi Sutradhar, one of the beneficiaries, came from Chandina in Cumilla. While expressing her feelings, she said that she is a student of Class XI. She is a member of a lower middle-class family. As her father passed away, her mother could not bear the expenses of his siblings. I was dreaming of standing beside my family.

Bashundhara has imparted free training and presented a sewing machine to me. With the machine, I shall be able to stand beside my family thereby fulfilling my dream.

Another beneficiary, Maria Akter, said, "We are three brothers and a sister. My mother passed away three years ago. I cherished a dream to go a long way.

But the responsibility of my family fell on my shoulder. But I did not stop my education. Nowadays, nobody provides free counselling to anyone. In such a situation, the group trained us for free and gave us sewing machines.

Alongside my education, I shall be able to fulfil my dream of doing work with the sewing machine. I express my gratitude to Bashundhara.

Puja Nahar said, "I am a member of a poor family. My father is sick. The education of two of my siblings was about to stop. During this dark period, Bashundhara Group stood beside me. By getting training and a sewing machine, I shall be able to carry on my studies and stand beside my family. I am grateful to Bashundhara and its Shuvosangho."

Coming from Debidwar, Sharmi Islam said, "Everyone laughs at poor people. With the help of Bashundhara Group, I have undergone a free training course and received a sewing machine. Now, I want to stand on my own feet. Lots of thanks to Bashundhara Group!"

Swapna Akhter said, "I cherished a dream to become a major entrepreneur. Undergoing training and getting a sewing machine, I have found a way of fulfilling my dream."  

Ayesha Akter of Lalmai upazila said, "My father runs a tea shop. It is not possible for my father to purchase a sewing machine. Despite my keen interest, I did not want to undergo sewing training.

Bashundhara Shuvosangho extended me an opportunity for sewing training free of cost to me and later gave me a sewing machine. I am ever-grateful to Bashundhara Group.

Daudkandi upazila's Bilkis Begum, a woman abandoned by her husband, said, "My husband deserted me along with my two children. I somehow run my family doing domestic work at other's houses. The owners of the group have distributed sewing machines to us after a practical training course. Now, I shall be able to stand on my feet doing work with the sewing machine."

Josna Akter of Chauddagram upazila, said, "I have undergone a free training course. On completion of the training, I got a new sewing machine. From now on, I shall regularly work with the sewing machine. With my earnings, I shall drive out poverty from the family. Solvency will come back to our family. Extending our heartfelt thanks to Bashundhara."

bd-pratidin/GR