A
memorable childhood time
I
come from a very conservative, aristocratic Muslim family. My father was the biggest inspiration in my childhood. He
used to tell us he would give us the best asset of life that is education. So whenever
he chose
the best school there and put us in that school. The girls in our family even
had governess coming at home and teach them. My father was the first man who
sent his daughters to school. He
used to tell us that school is a part of life. It's not just books and
studies. He used to tell us that a school is needed to mix with other
students, to interact and differentiate between the bad company and the good
company. His sending us to school was an important part of his philosophy in
bringing up a child. And that was
the total education more than just a book education. And I think that was very important.
My
family was a really a big one. We had 12 brothers and sisters. My parents made
me help my younger brother and sister in their studies .we were taught.
Would
like to add
I
would like to say that I was not differentiated that I was a girl and my brother
was a boy. Only difference was we went to girl's schools and girl's colleges.
My
inspiration
We
didn't get a role model at that time. My father encouraged me in that way. He
really supported me all through my young age. He saw me and my brother doing
the same studies. He realized that a woman could the same things, which a man
can do. But my mother was that positive towards her daughters' education and
career .She was not negative either. Now I have developed my career and status
and my own business. My mother realized that a women has also the potential.
She encouraged my daughters to build up their career. She told them for their
own self-respect they need to study. She supported my two daughters. Actually
my working and my doing well changed my mother's idea and views. Before that
she was not optimistic and later on she was more positive. My father was very
supportive all the time.
A
high-quality study life
I
was born in Calcutta. I spent a very brief period in Loreto convent Calcutta
for two months before we went to Karachi. I was in Karachi in Saint Joseph
convent school and college. Straight from college I got an opportunity to join
a bank.
The
career begins
I
entered the bank. While working in the bank I took all technical education. I
had one-year technical training in banking which included accounting,
bookkeeping. After that we had to take another exam called the institute of
bankers in Pakistan. For that I had to take evening classes from the institute
of bankers. My technical education was financial banking.
It
was Muslim commercial Bank. While doing the job over there I was getting paid,
I got my training. I joined
the bank in 1962.
They
opened a branch and I was number two in that branch. It was a ladies branch.
From there they transferred me to east Pakistan Dhaka in 1964 I became the
first women's bank manager. I took a group of women under me and trained them
and they became my professionals.
A
wonderful life partner
I
could have not achieved all the good things if was not supportive. He met me
when I had a career .He married me when I was in a bank. I became manager in
July and I got married in October 1964. He never complained about anything.
Even today he appreciates the way I have manage my business, children and
grand children. He has always been supportive as well understanding with me.
An
amazing family
I
have two daughters and a son. They also have been very understanding when I
started my business. I could not give them enough time but they understood
that. They realized that she was not lazing around. She was not having fun.
But they studied well. I am proud to say that they all are established now. I
balanced my time between my family and work
A
appreciative and understanding in-laws
I
didn't have to leave the bank just because I got married. My in-laws were very
supportive. They always appreciate my work and they are proud of my work and
me. They are first ones who call us and congratulate me when I achieve
something. I was lucky that my in laws are very broad minded.
After
marriage I took a break of 12 years.......
I
took this break to raise my children and to devote myself towards my family. I
used this time to publish a magazine called "keya" which promoted
the crafts. After that I became the chairperson of Bangladesh Handicraft and
Cooperative Federation. At that time I used to have the meetings at home
because I wanted to give time to my children as well. I also joined Karika, an
organization promoting indigenous handicrafts, a job that had the flexible
working hours necessary for a young mother.
The
business starts
Well,
I was not satisfied working from home, so when my children reached their teens
I started my cold storage business. In 1980 I set up RR Cold Storage with
loans from BSB (Bangladesh Shilpa bank). With the BSB loan I bought land in
Munshiganj, imported machinery and set up the cold storage plant. I was
determined to make the business successful. I was ready to take risks and I
used to stick to my commitments. In 1997 I bought an ailing cold storage,
revamped it with new machinery and new management.
My
Experience
As
the cold storage was located in remote area, there we didn't have access by
road and we had to go by launch wearing life jackets. Even today we do the
same thing. I have to visit the cold storage personally to interact with the
farmers and the workers who have accepted me as a trustworthy employer. I
have tried to make them feel free talking with me about any kind of problem
they are having over there.
My
business involves.........not only storing, buying and selling potatoes
but also deciding the price and growth of the vegetable, renting out space as
well as storing seeds for the farmers for the next year's season.
A
Clandestine dream that came true
I
always had a dream to do something for the women of Bangladesh. I had a hidden
ambition to promote women entrepreneurship in Bangladesh. As a board member
and chairperson of MIDAS's Women entrepreneurship Development Committee, I got
the chance to help the women start business with collateral free loans. At the
monthly meetings I counsel the women entrepreneurs on business strategies and
upgrading products. I also helped to set up outlets known as " Mini
marts" to market the products. I have initiated the Women 2 Women Support
Programs whereby an established woman entrepreneur helps a potential woman
entrepreneur for a whole year to give her a head start.
The
working environment
When
I was at the bank there was no woman in bank in Bangladesh. While I was in a
meeting there were 400 men and I was the only women and it never occurred to
me I was any less than any man. I could do the same balance sheets that the
men do. It gave me a feeling of confidence. They used to respect me and
listened to me. When I was in a bank the environment was good. I really didn't
face any problem doing work in the bank. They never discriminated me as I was
in woman.
My
words for the young women
All
the women should have a career now a day's. For that they must study. If I can
manage a business and a family at the same time, all the other women can do
the same. They must have the hard work and take the initiative. If they try
they can be the leaders everywhere they want to. They can be at home and do
something productive. They must be encouraged by their family, life partner,
the government, the society and every other person to take the first step.
