Atigram Union of Manikganj Sadar Upazila, where the vast land of greenery seems to be a story of possibilities hidden between every green leaf. As this fertile land of Atigram union has turned the wheel of fortune of many people, many have lost their livelihood while growing crops on this fertile land. Because the crops are not good only if the land is fertile, it needs the favor of nature and fate. Shahnaz Begum (51) lives in this village. Shahnaz Begum and her husband had long been dreaming of how to turn their fortunes around through farming. Because Shahnaz Begum herself saw that many people in this village turned their fortunes through this profession. Although Shahnaz Begum was a housewife, her dream was that they too would turn the wheel of their fortune through farming. But the problem was that they had no land, with which they could change their lives. Since they don’t have land of their own, her husband used to cultivate other people’s land. It was becoming very difficult for three children to study and run a family with the income earned by farming on other people’s land. But the strong-willed Shahnaz Begum is not one to give up. Ambala Foundation came as a financial supporter to fulfill her dream. All obstacles were defeated by the indomitable will and determination of Shahnaz Begum with the support of Ambala Foundation. Shahnaz Begum, in consultation with her husband, took a loan of 100,000 taka from the Katigram branch of Ambala Foundation and decided to plant their dream on that land by leasing 1 bigha land in February 2022. She started cultivating high yielding varieties of papaya in the land. With the help of nature and fate, their dreams start to materialize after 60-70 days, when their papaya trees begin to bear fruit. Then after 1.5-2 months they started marketing papaya. That year their papaya cultivation was so good that they made a profit of Tk 5,00,000 after covering all expenses.
Shahnaz Begum’s dreams come true and she continues to dream bigger. To maintain their success, they again took a loan of 3,00,000 taka from Ambala Foundation and leased 4 bigha land on a larger scale and cultivated papaya as well as banana on that land. Shahnaz Begum feels the breeze at the change of day. The dream grew bigger and for planting papaya and banana on a larger scale, he again took a loan of 5, 00,000 taka in the 3rd term in November 2023 and cultivated banana and papaya on 14 bigha of land. Shahnaz Begum got more success, both nature and fate were favor of Sahnaz. At present they sell 25 thousand takas of papaya and banana to wholesalers every day. They don’t even have to go to the market to sell their products, the wholesaler comes and collects the products from the land. The wheel of fortune turned for Shahnaz Begum and her husband. Shahnaz Begum’s husband, who once worked on other people’s land, bought 10 bighas of land this year with the profit of their banana and papaya cultivation. Shahnaz Begum and her husband want to reach the top of their dreams by cultivating their own land, no longer having to lease other people’s land. Shahnaz Begum and her family not only became financially independent with the loan from Ambala Foundation, but also received social and state honors. As the best banana grower of Manikganj district, her husband received the Crest and Gold Medal from Manikganj District Commissioner. Shahnaz Begum’s family is now financially self-sufficient and they have now worked for the economic development of others. Now 8-10 people work regularly in their banana and papaya plantation every day. Those who are engaged in transporting and selling vegetables in addition to taking care of Shahnaz Begum’s land throughout the year.
Apart from economic success, Shahnaz Begum has also played a great role in building the social status of boys and girls in the society by educating them. Their elder son is working as a Management Trainee Officer in Butex Apparels Limited after passing Masters from the local Devendra College and the younger son is studying in the 2nd year of Higher Secondary in Devendra College. The eldest daughter passed higher secondary and got married to a job holder. Established Shahnaz Begum is now a role model for many. She proved that willpower, determination and God’s favor can change lives. After getting success in banana and papaya cultivation, now he wants to take a loan from Ambala Foundation to start a lemon garden. She expressed hope that she would get the desired success in lemon cultivation like papaya and banana plantations. Shahnaz Begum expressed her gratitude to Ambala Foundation and thanks for being by her side during the changing days. Sahnaz Begum hopes to get a loan from Ambala Foundation to work on a larger scale in the coming days. On the other hand, Ambala Foundation is also proud to support the economic development of Shahnaz Begum.
Ambala International FNGO is a subsidiary of Ambala Foundation of Bangladesh.
Registration: CG05870770723
