Bashundhara Foundation holds 85th interest-free loan distribution

No interest, no service charge and no collateral — yet loans are available to help disadvantaged people build sustainable livelihoods. Through this humanitarian initiative of Bashundhara Foundation, run by the country’s leading business conglomerate Bashundhara Group, more than 31,000 underprivileged people have transformed their lives over the past two decades.

As part of the initiative, interest-free loans worth Tk30 lakh were distributed among 168 disadvantaged women in Bancharampur, Brahmanbaria, on Thursday.

Bashundhara Group Adviser Maynal Hossain Chowdhury and Bashundhara Foundation Chief Executive Officer M Naseemul Hye handed over the loan money to the beneficiaries at the foundation’s 85th loan distribution programme, held at the Akanagar Madrasa ground.

Each of the 168 disadvantaged women from Bancharampur and Nabinagar in Brahmanbaria has a family depending on her. Although they dreamed of building a better future, financial hardship repeatedly stood in their way.

Bashundhara Foundation stepped forward to help them turn those dreams into reality. Since 2005, its interest-free and collateral-free loan programme has helped thousands of families in Bancharampur and Nabinagar in Brahmanbaria and Homna in Cumilla become self-reliant.

Akanagar resident Julekha Akter was all smiles as she counted the money she had just received. Her husband, Dhanu Mia, supports the family through carpentry. Julekha said she would use the loan to support her husband’s work.

Another resident of the village, Asma Akter, said she planned to invest the money in farming.

“This is the farming season. I will use the money to cultivate some land. I hope to recover the principal within a few months. Receiving this loan has been a great help to me. I pray for the owner of Bashundhara Group,” she said.

M Nasimul Hai said the disadvantaged women were now dreaming of becoming self-reliant after being freed from the burden of high-interest loans, contributing to positive changes in the rural economy.

“I request those receiving the loans not to use the money for any unlawful purpose. Earn through honest and lawful means and use the income for your families. Please pray for the owners of Bashundhara Group. I wish you all well,” he said.

Bashundhara Group Adviser said the group had set a rare example by operating a loan programme free from both interest and service charges.

He said Bashundhara Group had also been standing beside people through scholarships, free healthcare services, training programmes, distribution of sewing machines and financial assistance for various social initiatives.

“The interest-free loan programme of Bashundhara Foundation is not only bringing financial stability to rural families but also playing an important role in enhancing the dignity and economic empowerment of women,” he said.

The programme was conducted by Md Chan Mia Sarkar. Among others, Bashundhara Foundation DGM Maimun Kabir and Deputy Manager Mosharraf Hossain attended the event.