Bashundhara Foundation Distributes Tk 3 Million in Interest-Free Loans to 168 Women in Brahmanbaria

Bashundhara Foundation has distributed Tk 3 million in loans among 168 disadvantaged women in Bancharampur, Brahmanbaria, without interest, service charges, or collateral. The initiative, led by the country’s leading industrial group Bashundhara Group, has been supporting rural women’s self-reliance and contributing to local economic development for nearly two decades.

The 85th loan distribution programme was held at the premises of Akanagar Madrasa in Bancharampur. Bashundhara Group Adviser Moynal Hossain Chowdhury attended the event as the chief guest, while Bashundhara Foundation Chief Executive Officer M Nasimul Hai was also present.

The programme was conducted by Md. Chan Mia Sarker. Among others, the event was attended by the foundation’s DGM Maimun Kabir, Deputy Manager Mosharraf Hossain and local dignitaries.

The initiative aims to empower disadvantaged women in Bancharampur and Nabinagar upazilas by helping them improve their financial circumstances. For many women whose aspirations have been constrained by financial hardship, the interest-free loan programme is creating new opportunities to pursue income-generating activities.

Speaking at the event, Bashundhara Foundation CEO M Nasimul Hai said, “Freed from the trap of high-interest loans, financially disadvantaged women are now dreaming of standing on their own feet. This is also bringing positive changes to the rural economy. I urge the borrowers to invest this money in increasing their legitimate income through honest means and not to use it for any unlawful activities.”

Bashundhara Group Adviser Moynal Hossain Chowdhury said, “Through its interest- and service-charge-free loan programme, Bashundhara Group has established a unique example of humanitarian support. Beyond distributing loans, the group has also stood beside people through scholarships, free medical services, training, sewing machine distribution and various social initiatives.”

The beneficiaries also shared their plans for the future. Shilpi Akter of Thollakandi village in Nabinagar said she intends to use the loan to improve her family’s financial condition. Marzina Akter of Barail village plans to support her husband’s agricultural work with the funds. Geeta Rani of Akanagar village, meanwhile, hopes to purchase a cow, as she did previously, to increase her family’s income.

According to the foundation, the Tk 3 million was distributed among 168 beneficiaries in four phases. In the first phase, 50 women received Tk 15,000 each, amounting to Tk 750,000. In the second phase, 22 women received Tk 15,000 each, totalling Tk 330,000. In the third phase, 21 women received Tk 20,000 each, totalling Tk 420,000. In the fourth phase, 75 women received Tk 20,000 each, amounting to Tk 1.5 million.

The interest-free, service-charge-free and collateral-free initiative is encouraging rural women to pursue income-generating activities. Stakeholders believe that such programmes can strengthen women’s financial independence while contributing to the development of the rural economy.