Bashundhara Group, Bangladesh's leading industrial conglomerate, is playing a vital role in supporting the dreams of thousands of meritorious students from underprivileged backgrounds.
For countless talented students, financial hardship acts like a shadow eclipsing their budding dreams. Here, the scholarship programme of Bashundhara Shuvosangho serves as a beacon of hope—offering not just financial support but a long-term commitment to building an educated and healthy society. This countrywide initiative to stand beside students is already contributing to a positive shift in society.
Bashundhara Shuvosangho is currently supporting the academic journey of 120 students from Jagannath University by providing them with monthly study allowances from Bashundhara Group. The students are overjoyed and deeply grateful for this assistance. Reporter Zakaria Zaman from Bengali daily Kaler Kantho spoke with several of the scholarship recipients to know their stories and ordeals.
Maya Akhter, Department of Mass Communication and Journalism
Bashundhara Shuvosangho has opened a new chapter in the fulfilment of my dreams. “Beside everyone in good deeds”—this is not just a slogan, but a source of belief and trust. I believe I am a living example of that.
Every one of us faces adversities in life, and I am no exception. Though I have achieved a little, I had to cross numerous hurdles to get here. There’s still a long way to go, and I often worry whether I’ll have the strength to face what lies ahead. In those moments of uncertainty, Bashundhara Shuvosangho gives me renewed strength. It breathes life into dreams that were almost lost.
I lost my father at a young age. Then, just as I began preparing to fight life’s battles clinging to my mother’s support, I lost her too. Fate mocked me a second time. As we were only two siblings, my elder brother had to shoulder the family responsibilities, giving up his own education for my sake. I was able to make it to university only because of his tireless efforts and sacrifices. But now, he can no longer afford my expenses. Burdened with debt, he is struggling.
With no tuition opportunities nearby, I had to take one far away, risking my safety during late-night commutes. When I was watching my dreams crumble, Bashundhara Shuvosangho came as a blessing. Their monthly support has significantly reduced my mental stress. I no longer spend the start of each month calculating how I’ll survive till the end. It feels like I’ve found my way back to my goals.
I will remain eternally grateful to Bashundhara Shuvosangho. I will always consider them part of my family.
Osman Gani, Department of Law
I come from a poor family. My father is a rickshaw-puller and the sole breadwinner. His limited income can barely meet household expenses, let alone support my higher education. As Jagannath University lacks residential halls, I have to spend significantly on food and accommodation each month, which I used to manage through private tutoring. That left me with little time for studies.
In this situation, the monthly scholarship from Bashundhara Shuvosangho has been a blessing. It has not only covered costs of books and study materials but also relieved much of my mental pressure. Now, I can concentrate better on my studies and pursue my dreams with renewed confidence.
I am sincerely grateful to Bashundhara Shuvosangho. Their support for poor yet meritorious students is undoubtedly praiseworthy and exemplary. I wish to become a successful citizen and contribute to society. One day, I too hope to extend my hand to someone in need. My heartfelt thanks and respect to them.
Md. Russell Sheikh, Department of Sociology
I am profoundly grateful to Allah for allowing me to be part of an organisation like Bashundhara Shuvosangho. Those of us from lower-middle-class families face countless challenges in chasing our dreams, with financial constraints being the biggest hurdle.
After enrolling at Jagannath University, I was constantly worried about how I’d manage my daily expenses and study costs. At one point, due to financial hardship, I had to drop out even after getting admitted. Despite all odds, I resumed studying with borrowed money sent by my father, who even skipped his own medical treatment for me. Over time, his health deteriorated, and he eventually asked me to fend for myself. I was helpless and nearly gave up.
That’s when Bashundhara Shuvosangho came into my life as a blessing. They arranged a monthly scholarship for me. Words fail to express my gratitude. Their support has completely changed the course of my life. I can now dream again—to finish my education and achieve my goals. Bashundhara Shuvosangho has become a guiding light for me, and I believe this bold initiative will continue to empower many students like me.
Bashir Shahriar, Department of Bangla
My journey to university was never an easy one. I come from a low-income family with three siblings, all in education. My father is the only earner, while my mother is a housewife, and my ill grandmother lives with us.
Supporting my brother in his undergraduate studies, funding my younger sister’s education, and paying for my grandmother’s treatment—it all plunged our family into debt. I couldn’t afford coaching for university admission, so I studied alone at home and somehow got into Jagannath University. But life in Dhaka is even tougher. With no dormitories, I had to rent a room in a mess. Rent, food, and supplies require a lot of money every month.
Finding tuition in Old Dhaka was extremely difficult. I managed to get one where I taught five days a week for just Tk 1,500. The little support from home wasn’t enough, so I survived on two meals a day to cut costs.
I had been involved with Bashundhara Shuvosangho previously. When they started providing me a monthly scholarship, my situation began to improve. I cannot thank them enough. From the depth of my heart, I express my sincerest gratitude to Bashundhara Shuvosangho.
Jannatul Busra Monalisa, Department of Management Studies
To move forward in life, everyone needs a helping hand. Even a small gesture can create a big change. I’m fortunate to have had Bashundhara Shuvosangho stand by me on my journey.
To me, the scholarship from Bashundhara Group is not merely financial aid—it’s recognition, encouragement, and a symbol of accountability towards the future. If one has willpower and works hard, society does come forward. Bashundhara Shuvosangho has taught me how to support others.
Their noble initiative is not only helping students like me build their dreams but also inspiring the development of a responsible society. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and pledge to uphold this trust and support. I will strive to become an honest, educated, and responsible citizen. Heartfelt thanks to Bashundhara Shuvosangho for being a part of my dream journey.
Bithi Rani Kundu, Department of Land Management and Law
I’ve been fighting poverty since childhood to continue my studies. My father is a poor farmer, and my mother is a housewife. With his meagre income, we had to manage all education expenses. But I’ve always had someone beside me in this struggle.
After college, I fought to secure university admission. I was accepted into the Land Management and Law department at Jagannath University and enrolled with the help of a few generous people. Then came the battle to survive and study in Dhaka.
Recently, my father underwent brain tumour surgery. By God’s grace, he is recovering but unable to do any heavy work. Whatever little income he had, that too is gone. I was managing with a part-time tuition job, but couldn’t handle all the expenses. I had to send money home as well since I now bear the responsibility for our household.
It felt like my dream was slipping away. But Bashundhara Shuvosangho didn’t let that happen. They stood by me during this tough time. Thanks to their monthly scholarship, I’ve been able to continue my education. Without it, I might have had to quit.
I will remain forever grateful to Bashundhara Shuvosangho and Bashundhara Group. True gratitude, however, will only be fulfilled the day I too can support someone in their dream.
Sabina Yasmin, Department of Islamic History and Culture
My early school life went smoothly, but the real struggle began in secondary school. My father was a farmer, and I am the eldest among five siblings. From the time I enrolled in Class 6, my mother fell seriously ill, and I had to take charge of all household responsibilities. Due to our financial constraints, I began tutoring from Class 7. I used to rank first in class, so the school would waive my fees seeing our poverty. It was my father who taught me to dream. But just a week before my SSC exams, he suffered a stroke and passed away.
His death felt like being thrown into an endless ocean. Besides Allah, we had no one to turn to. Cruel words from villagers disguised as people, financial hardship, my mother's illness, my education, and my younger siblings’ studies—everything became overwhelming. Still, I took the SSC exam and passed with a GPA-5. There was immense pressure from all directions to get me married off, but I wanted to continue my studies—even though we had no means.
Despite everything, I enrolled in college out of my own will. I supported my expenses through a tuition job earning Tk1,000. I lived in other people’s homes and received private coaching for free upon teachers’ requests. I passed my HSC exams also with GPA 5. After getting admission to university, I had no way to fund my studies. I took a loan from a co-operative society to get enrolled. I hoped to find some source of income, but nothing worked out—not even one tuition.
Through a friend, I learned about Bashundhara Shuvosangho and applied for their scholarship. I even prayed Tahajjud for help—and Allah answered through Bashundhara Shuvosangho. I’m endlessly grateful. I can’t bring a single penny from home. Rent, food, exam fees, semester fees—it’s a constant worry. It’s incredibly difficult to find tuition jobs here, and even when you do, the pay is minimal. Receiving this scholarship brought new hope—I could finally think about continuing my education. Otherwise, I would’ve had to quit. I express my deepest gratitude and pray for the expansion of Shuvosangho. I hope to work with them for life, In Sha Allah.
Abu Talha Biswas, Department of History
There are six of us in the family—my parents, a brother, and two sisters. We four siblings study at different institutions. My father, a humble farmer, is the sole earner. His income wasn’t enough to cover both our household and educational expenses. I came to Dhaka after getting into Jagannath University, which increased the financial pressure even more. I didn’t get a hall seat, nor could I manage a tuition job.
My father was struggling to bear my educational expenses. Sometimes he’d say, “Try to do something on your own now.” Between the pressure of adapting to a new environment, academic stress, and constant financial worry, I fell into despair. I even considered returning home. Then suddenly, Bashundhara Shuvosangho appeared like a blessing. Their scholarship opened a new door in my academic life. It eased my family’s burden and allowed me to focus on my studies with peace of mind. I am deeply grateful to Bashundhara Shuvosangho and pray they continue standing by thousands of students like me, true to their motto—“Beside everyone in good deeds.”
Marufa Yasmin, Department of Anthropology
Two years ago, I came to Dhaka with dreams of studying at university. My home is a small village in Lalmonirhat district. My father is an auto-rickshaw driver. The journey to university admission was a battle in itself. I went against everyone’s opinion and made many sacrifices to get here. For the first few months, my father managed to send some money, but later, he could no longer afford it. I couldn’t even find tuition work.
At one point, I thought of giving up my studies and returning home. Then I found one tuition job and struggled through with that for rent and food. But in December last year, I was told it wouldn’t continue—they were leaving Dhaka. It felt like the sky had fallen on me. In two years, I’d only managed to find one tuition job. Where would I find another now? I barely managed to return to Dhaka from home, my mind flooded with worries.
At that point, Bashundhara Shuvosangho became a divine blessing in my life. They arranged a monthly scholarship for me. Words cannot express how much it has helped. My father is often ill now and can’t even earn what little he used to. By Allah’s mercy, I’ve recently managed to get another tuition job. I can now even send a little money home. This scholarship has lifted the burden for countless students like me. I’m also inspired by how Bashundhara Shuvosangho helps people in distress. Seeing them, I too want to stand by others. Whatever I do in life, I want to remain with and work for Bashundhara Shuvosangho. Their help came at a time when my education might otherwise have come to a halt.
Ritu Roy, Department of History
I come from a lower-middle-class family. My father passed away when I was nine. My mother worked hard to encourage me in my studies. Without her inspiration, I could never have come this far. I’ve always tried to understand the pain she silently bore. After getting into university, my mother couldn’t possibly afford to send enough money for me to live in Dhaka. Sometimes I had tuition jobs, sometimes I didn’t.
It was during this time that the Jagannath University branch of Bashundhara Shuvosangho arranged a scholarship for me. Bashundhara Group stood by me through this scholarship, allowing me to study without worry. I’m deeply grateful for their support.
Jamal Hossain, Department of Public Administration
I extend my heartfelt gratitude and thanks to Bashundhara Shuvosangho, whose scholarships are helping us manage our education smoothly. This initiative is truly a blessing. For students like us from lower-middle-class backgrounds studying at Jagannath University, the scholarship programme is extremely significant.
Housing is a major issue at our university. Most students have to live off-campus, which is expensive. And finding tuition work in Old Dhaka is quite difficult. Even when we do get work, the pay is often not enough. Without financial help from home, it becomes hard to survive. In this harsh reality, the Bashundhara Shuvosangho scholarship has filled us with hope. It’s not just financial support—it removes inner worry and uncertainty and encourages us to concentrate on our studies.
Bd-Pratidin English/ AM
