Chandmoni shows the way

Dignitaries students among the enthusiastic crowd at the Chandmoni fair. PHOTO: STAR

Chandmoni Girls Home at remote Chacradangi village in Jaldhaka upazila has infused a new life in them.

The whole village was in a festive mood as the Chadmoni Rural Handicrafts and Cottage Industry Fair, an annual event at the Home, drew dignitaries, officials and also a large number of school students from Nilphamari town.

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All were surprised to see the unique achievement made by an educated childless couple who started the Home five years back with their life savings for the wellbeing of distressed girls.

Its inmates, collected from distressed families, are getting education at different girls' schools in the area.

Pazirul Alam Dulal and Motahara Alam have become successful in their mission--to spread a message that small sacrifice and effort can change lives of hundreds and make the society an abode of peace and prosperity. Pizirul is retired AGM of Uttara Bank and his Motahara is a former teacher of Fulkoli Nursery School in Dhaka.

At the three-day far, the handicrafts and attractive designs on fashionable garments made by the once-helpless girls drew the attention of all.

The Nakshi Kantha, paintings and beautiful paper-made flowers, all made by inmates of the Home, were special attractions at the 20 stalls. The garments and designs were made at the sewing centre at the Home.

The most significant aspect of the fair was that large groups of students from Nilphamari Government Boys High School and Government Girls High School attended the inaugural function on Saturday as part of their study tour.

"No other place can be more attractive and greater than Chandmoni.

"We acquired human quality", said Shaila Sharmin, speaking at the function on behalf of the visiting girls.

Like her, Nourin, Antor, Sinthya, Shilpi, Bappi, Mrinmoy, Tapu, Badhon, Ajoi, Sujan, Ratan and Saad also had exciting experiences. We learnt many good things, they said while talking to this correspondent.

A list of martyrs from Joldhaka in the Liberation War was also hung at the fair.

Preparation of an accurate list of martyrs' is indeed an outstanding work, many visitors said. Pizirul said they have so far collected names of 78 martyrs and the process is on.

Former lawmaker Md Amin, Jaldhaka Computer College Principal Abed Ali, daily Protom Alo Joint News Editor Tauhidur Rahman, Jaldhaka Upazila Women Affairs Officer Nurunnahar Shahazadi, Jaldhaka Press Club President Golam Mostafa, freedom fighter Shafiquel Alam and Daily Star Correspondent Asaduzzaman addressed the inaugural ceremony.

Balagram Union Parishad Chairman Reazual Islam Ronju presided.

In her speech, Nurunnalar said Chandmoni is an example of women's empowerment in our country.

Prothom Alo Joint News Editor Taulhidur Rahman, who was special guest at the ceremony said he was overwhelmed to see the Chadmoni.

"The girls (at Chandmoni) are well trained for life and they are assets for the society. They have a new spirit and will train others", Taulhidur said.

"We have seen business in the name of running orphanage but Pizirul Alam had sacrificed all his wealth and property for a noble mission".

"I am inspired by him (Pizirul)."

"Coming to Chadmoni my wife and myself feel that we are amidst our children", he said.

"Our country will be a place of peace and happiness when there will be many like Pizirul

After the inauguration, warm clothes and books were given to Chandmoni girls from Prothom Alo fund.

Feroza Begum, an inmate and a student of class ten at Kaligonj High School, told this correspondent that all the goods at the stales were made by them.

"Women trainers at Chadmoni train us in different crafts", she said.

Pizirul Alam said the inmates and outsider women get free training on sewing and designing at the Ambia Khatun Free Sewing Training Centre on Chandmoni compound.

Inmates Sapna Akhtar, Urmila, Toma, Lipi, Luna said before coming to Chadmoni they were either working as domestic help at others' houses or were burden on relatives. Some of them are orphans.

Now we are going to school and learning designing clothes, making garments and handicrafts, they said.

'Amma' taught us that only self-reliant women can protect themselves from social oppression and we are getting training here, they said. They address Motahar Begam as Amma (mother).

There inmates lead a modest life but this correspondent found in them great spirit to face life.

Chandmoni is not only a home to distressed girls, but also a movement, commented Golam Mostafa, a teacher at Joldhaka College and also president of Jaldhaka Press Club.

The Pizirul and his wife do not take any help from any NGO or government to run the Chandmoni.