Bashundhara Foundation, a non-profit and social development platform of the largest business conglomerate Bashundhara Group, distributed Tk 6 million in interest-free loans among 490 ultra-poor at Durgarampur at Bancharampur in Brahmanbaria.
It was the 60th interest-free loans distribution programme of Bashundhara Group in Bancharampur upazila.
As the ultra-poor are the worst affected by the pandemic, the Bashundhara Foundation continues its interest-free loan disbursement to support the poor as per the directive of Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan. Publisher of East West Media Group Ltd (EWMGL) Maynal Hossain Chowdhury supervised the loan disbursement programme.
The loan was distributed in three stages under the 60th interest-free loans distribution programme during a period from January 23 to February 7 this year.
Sources said 240 people received Tk 10,000 each in the first stage, 60 people received Tk 12,500 each in the second stage and 190 beneficiaries received Tk 15,000 each in the third stage of the programme.
Bashundhara introduced the interest-free loan scheme in 2005 through its foundation for ensuring economic emancipation of the underprivileged people and to support the livelihoods of the ultra-poor.
The loan is distributed only among the women to be invested in 32 purposes including vegetable cultivation and poultry farming.
Bashundhara Foundation deputy general manager Md Maimun Kabir and Bashundhara Foundation senior officer Md Amir Hossain Anwar, among others, were present at the loan distribution programme.
Hailing from Mayaram-pur, Fatema Begum, a 60-year woman, received the interest-free loan and expressed gratitude. She said she will use the money for her agricultural project.
“I will invest the money in the cultivation of paddy to get rid of poverty. May Allah blesses the Bashundhara Group owner,” she said.
Mariyam Begum of Uzanchar village received the loan and expressed hope to be successful in poultry farming.
College girl Hanufa Akter said she will buy a sewing machine with the loan and use her expertise to earn money. Apart from supporting her family, she said she will continue her study.
