MAGURA, Dec19: Needlework has turned fortune wheel of Nurjahan.
In 1980, Nurjahan Begum of village Raigram under Magura Sadar was married with Alamgir Hossein of Islampur village in Kushtia. Just after the marriage her husband demanded dowry to Nurjahan family. But her ultra-poor family failed to meet his demand. Then, Alamgir started torturing Nurjahan physically. In 1987, Nurjahan returned to father's house with her three children.
In 1990, she took a training on needlework by the Ayesha Abed Foundation (a wing of BRAC).
When her two daughters were grown up they also started doing needlework. With the income of three members, Nurjahan sent her son-in-law to abroad in 2012.
In 2014, she also sent her only son 'Ripon' to Malaysia. Her younger daughter, Fatema, is doing her masters.
Nurjahan is now financially solvent.
Nurjahan said 'Nakshi Katha' has changed her life. "I still do needlework as it is my love and habit. I want to do so till the last day of my life", she said.
Local female commissioner Shabed Ara said Nurjahan is an inspiration to women in the area. Nurjahan has established people can change their love through proper planning and hard work.
Manager of Ayesha Abed Foundation Fakrul Islam said at present 30 women in Raigran village are involved in needlework. They earn around Tk 4,000 to Tk 5,000 per month.
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