A visually impaired entrepreneur from Gaibandha has earned widespread acclamation for producing eco-friendly paper pens and notebooks. Photo: Collected

GAIBANDHA, July 28, 2026 (BSS)- A visually impaired entrepreneur from Gaibandha has earned widespread acclamation for producing eco-friendly paper pens and notebooks.
 
Thirty-year-old Shariful Islam, a resident of Uttar Falia village under Boali Union, about 2-km from Gaibandha town, has gained popularity for manufacturing paper pens that have become well received locally and on various university campuses. His venture is also providing him with a steady income.
 
A visit to Shariful's home found him sitting in a small courtyard making paper pens by hand. Although visually impaired since birth, he skillfully produces each pen within moments using only the touch of his hands.
 
Shariful's father is a small businessman. After his father’s business suffered severe losses during the coronavirus pandemic, leaving the family in financial hardship, Shariful started making pens and notebooks in 2023 to cover his personal expenses.
 
The initiative was not easy in the beginning. With support from his university friends, he started producing pens and notebooks. Gradually, his eco-friendly products gained popularity among students.
 
Shariful now sells an average of 1,000 paper pens and 500 notebooks every month through both wholesale and retail channels. The notebooks are priced between Taka 20 and Taka 40, while each pen sells at Taka 10.
 
Initially, his products were supplied to different educational institutions through orders. He has now rented a small shop at Pulbandi Bazar, about one kilometre from Gaibandha town, where he promotes and sells his eco-friendly pens and notebooks.
 
Overcoming his visual impairment, Shariful passed the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination from Gaibandha Islamia High School in 2015 and the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination from Gaibandha Government College in 2017.
 
Driven by his passion for education, he secured admission to the University of Chattogram, where he completed his bachelor's degree in Sociology in 2023. He later earned a master’s degree in the same discipline in 2025.
 
The process of making the paper pens is simple. First, an ink refill is wrapped with coloured paper and sealed firmly with glue. Finally, the pen is dried in the sunlight to harden, producing an environmentally friendly paper pen.
 
Shariful is the son of Rafiqul Islam of Uttar Falia village under Boali Union in Sadar upazila. Friend of Shariful’s friend Mizanur Rahman told BSS that Shariful Islam is a real example of fight in the life of a person.
 
Despite being visually impaired, Shariful overcame every obstacle and completed his university education. Without depending on others, he became a successful entrepreneur. Many people remain unemployed after completing their studies, but Shariful continues to work tirelessly after overcoming his disability. I hope he will become one of the country’s successful entrepreneurs,” he said.
 
College teacher Harun-or-Rashid told BSS, “Shariful is a very humble and well-mannered young man in the area. Despite being visually impaired, he is working instead of becoming a burden of the country, and that is something to be proud of.”
 
Shariful Islam told BSS, “Plastic is extremely harmful to the environment. Since I graduated from a university, I took the initiative to produce eco-friendly pens and notebooks keeping students and the environment in mind. The income from selling these products covers my personal expenses. I am also saving some money to expand my business.”
 
He added, “If I receive financial assistance in any way, I plan to expand my enterprise in a larger scale.”
 
Gaibandha Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sabuj Kumar Basak told BSS, “The government will provide Shariful Islam with every possible support and facility to help improve his business.”