For more than 20 years, interest-free and service charge-free microcredit has been distributed, helping over 30,000 underprivileged women become self-reliant. With the support of the Bashundhara Group, the Bashundhara Foundation has been operating microcredit programmes in Banchharampur and Nabinagar of Brahmanbaria, and Homna of Cumilla.
As part of the continuing initiative, the 83rd microcredit distribution ceremony was held on Monday at the Jagannathpur Modern Auditorium in Banchharampur.
Under the programme, Tk70 lakh was distributed among 371 beneficiaries.
Bashundhara Group Adviser Moinal Hossain Chowdhury and Bashundhara Foundation Chief Executive Officer M Nasimul Haque handed over the loans to poor women from different villages. The women, who continue to struggle against poverty, appeared delighted after receiving the funds from senior Bashundhara Group officials.
Rahima Begum of Khoshkandi village said, “There is no interest and no extra charge — what could be better than this? This is the third time I have received the loan. I benefited a lot from the previous two loans and managed to save some capital. Many people like me have benefited from this money.”
Halima of Asadnagar village said, “I invested the money in my husband’s tea stall. The shop now earns good profit every day, and we are gradually expanding it. We no longer face difficulties in running our family. We pray for the owner of Bashundhara.”
Speaking at the event, Bashundhara Foundation CEO M Nasimul Haque said, “Nowhere in the world is microcredit provided without interest and service charges. Bashundhara Group has set an example through this foundation. Many women have become self-reliant and are establishing themselves as small entrepreneurs. This is a unique initiative by Bashundhara Group to empower poor women.”
Bashundhara Group Adviser said, “This interest-free and service charge-free microcredit programme has been running for more than 20 years. A total of 30,606 women from the three upazilas have become self-reliant and are now supporting their families. The dream of the Chairman of Bashundhara Group is to build a poverty-free country. Our goal will be fulfilled if you can become self-sufficient. We request the beneficiaries not to use the money for any illegal activities and to pray for the owners of Bashundhara Group.”
The women were seen leaving the venue with smiling faces and renewed hope, as if they had found a pathway to fulfilling their dreams.
Local dignitaries said many poor families in the upazila have become self-reliant through the Bashundhara Foundation’s interest-free and service charge-free microcredit programme. Nearly 200 women have received free training and sewing machines, while hundreds of students are continuing their education with financial support from Bashundhara. Thousands of families across the upazila are finding hope through various initiatives taken by Bashundhara Group.
Bd-Pratidin English/ AM
