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DHAKA, April 26, 2026 (BSS) - Sanjida Akhtar is a housewife from the Satmatha Bir Bhadra Railgatearea of Rangpur city. After struggling with the harsh realities of life, poverty and illness, she has become a successful female entrepreneur today. With the help of a needle and thread and an indomitable willpower, she has not only changed her own destiny, but also changed the lives of more than fifty women.
 
Sanjida got married to a local youth Osman GaniI in 2017, while she was a student of tenth grade.Although the time after the wedding was supposed to be happy, but in reality, a shadow of misfortune descended on their family. Within six months of marriage, Sanjida fell seriously ill. On the other hand, Osman Gani's small business also closed.
 
Osman lost his all capital while paying for his wife's medical expenses. He was forced to start working as a tiler. At that time, there was no one to stand by him - neither his in-laws nor his father. They spent their days in extreme poverty and uncertainty.
 
Recently, in a conversation with this reporter, Sanjida reminisced, “I used to think that I have to do something at home. It’s not enough to just depend on my husband’s income.” 
 
The Covid-19 pandemic period that spread across the world in 2020 was a turning point in their lives. Her husband bought Sanjida a smartphone on installments. That phone became the biggest assistant in her life.
 
She liked the work of making needle and thread designs on cotton cloth after watching various videos on YouTube. Gradually, she started learning on her own. First, she made a hand-stitched design for her husband. Seeing that works on punjabi, the locals praised her work which enhanced her confidence.Then she thought that it is possible to do something.
 
In 2021, Sanjida launched a page on Facebook called ‘Hater Choya’ (Hand Touch). She started her entrepreneurial life by buying necessary equipment including cloth, needle and thread with a capital of about Taka 10,000. 
 
The initial days were full of challenges. But she did not stop. Her hand-designed clothes, punjabis, fatuas--everything gradually started to attract the attention of buyers.
 
Sanjida faced a major setback in her business at the beginning. A woman living in Italy ordered products worth around Taka 2.5 lakh from her. But the entire order was cancelled due to poor quality clothes supplied by a relative. She lost around Taka 45,000.
 
This experience did not break her but made her stronger. She decided that from now on, he would do everything under his own supervision. She started working anew in 2023. She improved the quality of her work by learning more advanced designs and sewing techniques from YouTube.
 
Through the ‘Hater Choya’ page, Sanjida's products quickly gained popularity. Orders started coming in from different parts of the country including Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet, Narayanganj. 
 
Her specialty is to create customized designs according to the needs of the customers. Each product has a touch of care and love, which sets her apart from others.
 
Once upon a time, poverty was a constant companion in the family, but today, there is a touch of prosperity in the family.
 
Sanjida's monthly income is now Taka 30,000 to 45,000. Products worth about Taka three to four lakhare are sold every month through her organization. Her husband Osman Gani is also working by her.
 
He helps her wife from collecting clothes, to laundry, packaging and couriering. 
 
Osman said, “Earlier, people in the village would laugh. Now, people come to learn the job. It is a matter of pride for us.”
 
Sanjida's initiative is not limited to her own family.Currently, more than fifty women are directly and indirectly associated with her. Many of them are housewives, some are students. They earn extra income by doing needlework in between household chores. 
 
A woman can earn between Taka 2,000 and 5,000 per month, which has become an important support for her family. 
 
When the reporter visited Sanjida's house, it was seen that 10 to 12 women and young girls are sitting together, drawing designs on cloth—as if they are weaving a piece of a dream.
 
Neighbor Abul Hashem said, “Once their situation was very bad. Now, not only they sre doing well, but they are also providing work opportunities to others. It is a joy for everyone.”
 
This initiative has built confidence among the women of the village. They are realizing that it is possible to earn a respectable income even from home, he added.
 
Sanjida has a bigger dream. She wants to expand her initiative so that many women can get work opportunities.
 
She said, “Once I was disappointed myself. Now I can do something for other women – that is my greatest joy.” 
 
Selowara Begum, Deputy Director of the Department of Women’s Affairs, Rangpur District Office, told this reporter that Sanjida and the women associated with her will be provided with training and necessary support to develop them as entrepreneurs. Besides, we are already conducting such activities in the district, she added.