BDRunner JAN 25:- Indomitable woman Selina Akhter has turned the wheel of life’s struggle by changing her fate in Nakshi Kantha. Dreaming of becoming self-reliant, Selina started a Nakshi Kantha business from home with a capital of just 20 thousand taka. Within 6 years, she became self-reliant and also employed at least 50 helpless unemployed women.
Selina Akhter (32), a resident of Bepari Bari in Kathali area of Ward No. 8 of Bhola Sadar Upazila, is the wife of Md. Alam. She has set up a business called ‘Glamour Zone Nakshi Kantha’. In recognition of her work, she has already received the Best Winner Award from the district administration on Begum Rokeya Day.
It is known that Selina Akhter passed her higher secondary school after getting married in a family-friendly manner. Selina Akhter told BSS that although her family life with her husband and two daughters was going well in the beginning, financial difficulties started in her family at one point. She went out in search of a job herself. But she was disappointed when she did not get a job. She thought that she could not earn money without a job. Then she watched the Nakshi Kantha design and stitching system on YouTube and decided to start a Nakshi Kantha business herself. She borrowed 20 thousand taka from her elder brother and started this business. Since then, she has not looked back.
This woman has become self-reliant by making Nakshi Kantha with her own willpower and concentration. According to sources, she received the Best Winner of Bhola Sadar Upazila in 2023 from the Bhola Women’s Affairs Department. Currently, she is selling Kantha both online and offline. There is also a lot of demand for this Nakshi Kantha. She has Nakshi Kantha priced from 300 taka to 15 thousand taka.
On going to the field, it was seen that several women have come to her to learn Nakshi Kantha design and stitching. Some have also come to work as usual.
Selina Akhter herself supervises their work and designs the kantha. Currently, Joyita is spending her time busy with her business and family.
Selina Akhter said, she had a penchant for sewing and drawing since childhood. After my daughters started their studies, the family situation deteriorated due to various reasons. Then I thought I needed to do something. At first, I thought that girls cannot earn money without a job. I couldn’t get a job even after chasing a job for a few years. I thought if it was possible to do something without a job. Suddenly one day, I saw on YouTube that many people were earning money by doing the kantha business.
I bought yarn and cloth worth 20,000 taka and started the business. Since then, I haven’t looked back. Now I earn more than 1 lakh taka per month.
She also said, I have educated two daughters with the money from selling kantha. I have given one daughter a grand wedding. I have given her a business establishment.
Alhamdulillah, my family is also doing well now. Besides, 50 to 60 women work in my establishment. Many of them are also earning money by working from home like themselves. This entrepreneur advises women to do something instead of sitting at home.
Selina Akhter’s college-going daughter Israt Jahan Mim said, “Along with my studies, I help my mother with Nakshi Kantha work. Now I can do design and sewing work. This helps my mother a lot.”
Two other women named Kulsum and Sajeda, who came to work there, said, “My husband drives a rickshaw. There are four members in the family. My husband does not earn. The money I earn from working here is spent on the family. If we cannot do any work, Selina Apa shows us how. We earn 200 to 400 taka from each kantha depending on the size. The money I earn from working here can help us pay for our children’s education expenses. We are very well off now.”
Ferdous Begum, who came to learn sewing, said, “I am coming to learn Nakshi Kantha sewing from Selina Apa.” After learning the job from here, we go home and sew our own designs and Kantha and sell them to earn some money.
Deputy Director of the District Women’s Affairs Department Md. Iqbal Hossain told BSS, Selina Akhter is a successful and struggling woman. Through her struggle, she has not only become self-sufficient but also provided employment to helpless and widowed women of the district. We are by her side for any of her needs. In 2023, Selina Akhter was awarded the Best Victory Award as an economically successful woman. He also informed about various steps taken by the Women’s Affairs Department to empower the women of Bhola.
N/M