C T Online Desk: Mottakina Akter and Mahmudul Hasan Murad have secured golden opportunity to get admitted to the Dhaka University against all odds and financial crisis.
Befriending poverty, Mottakina Akter grew up under stepmother and Mahmudul in the orphanage. Change in Dhaka University has brought them happiness and anxiety for being in a fix to collect the money for admission and study.
However, the Bashundhara Group has extended financial support to the duo to materialise their dreams.
The country’s largest business conglomerate came forward after attention of Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan was drawn to a newspaper report on incapacity of the two brilliant students to pursue higher study on account of poverty.
Soon after the report, Bashundhara Group contacted Mottakina Akter and Mahmudul Hasan Murad and assured them of all financial supports till completion of their study.
Mottakina Akter and Mahmudul Hasan Murad formally received the money at a ceremony organised by Shuvo Sangha, a social organisation of Bashundhara Group’s leading Bengali newspaper Kaler Kantho.
Imdadul Haq Milan, renowned writer and director of East West Media Group Ltd (EWMGL), media concern of Bashundhara Group, and Shahed Mohammad Ali, editor of daily Kaler Kantho, handed over Tk 20 to each of two students to meet their cost of admission and food and accommodation for one month. The programme was held at EWMGL premises at Bashundhara Residential Area in Dhaka on Saturday.
Hailing from Singimari village at Sekherhat union parishad in Badarganj upazila under Rangpur, Mottakina secured GPA-5 both in the SSC and HSC in 2019 and 2021 respectively. Although Mottakina qualified for HSC entry into famous Carmichael College in Rangpur, she could not afford. Passing HSC from Badarganj Degree College, she sat for Dhaka University admission test and got change in Zoology.
Mottakina, talking to this correspondent, said “My father tried heart and soul to collect the admission fees but failed. In this critical situation, Bashundhara Group has stood beside me. The largest business conglomerate has assured of financial support till completion of my study. I am very delighted and encouraged with the financial support which will help me materialise dream.”
According to family source, Mottakina lost her mother Nurjahan Begum when she was a primary student. She is the second of four daughters of the couple. A tiny shop is the only source of earning of her father Atiar Rahman. Mottakina had to rely on tuition for meeting cost of study.
Atiar Rahman said “My daughter is determined to pursue higher studies. But I could not collect money for admission. I am happy to get the Bashundhara Group beside my family.”
Meanwhile, Mahmudul Hasan Murad of Masterpara village of Gopalpur union parishad under the same upazila, faced untold sufferings due to separation of parents at the age of 3. Relatives sent him to a local orphanage. When Mahmudul was six, he got admitted to Mainakuri Darus Sunnah Alim Madrasah at Badarganj in Rangpur. He passed Dakhil (SSC level) Alim (HSC level) in 2019 and 2021 with brilliant results. He has qualified for Arabic Language and Literature department under Dhaka University.
Talking to this correspondent, Mahmudul Hasan Murad said “I grew up in the orphanage. I stayed there free of charge. But I was in trouble getting change in the Dhaka University. Honourable Chairman of Bashundhara Group has taken responsibility of my study. I am grateful to him. After obtaining degrees, I will work for the cause of mankind.”
Imdadul Haq Milan said “The Bashundhara Group continuously works for the welfare of the people. The largest business conglomerate through Shuvo Sangha is standing beside insolvent students of colleges and universities. As part of humanitarian gesture, the Group has extended supports to Mottakina and Mahmudul to materialise their dream. They are expected to build career utilising the opportunity and work for society.”
