‘The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of the others’. Mahatma Gandhi
United Nations declared the day of non-violence on 2nd October in the memory of non-violence principles of Mahatma Gandhi and also to celebrate the birthday of this great legend. In tribute to the great legend, I am writing the history of the journey of Baldha group.In the beginning of human civilisation approximately 40000 years ago the trading started with the exchange of objects like shells, pearls and gold. In the modern civilisation, it is now known as business. The new ideas started to begin and created the new concept startup or dot-coms but the aim or goals of these organisations are not only to make a profit but also to make sure that mankind is benefited by these companies. Human rights, gender rights and other humanitarian issues generated to make that mankind are safe, harmless, and corruption free with these new trading lines. Making money is crucial for business but it is more important to follow the ethics and integrity.N ow the question comes How did I end up in Entrepreneurship when I was a graduate in Electrical Engineering from Texas A And M University and working in one of the top companies ‘Nokia Inc’ In Dallas. I remember we used to have the weekly meeting minutes while I was working there as a ps core systems Engineer, It was enthusiastic and Fantastic to learn about the cellular networks. But During the meeting while sipping my coffee from the Nokia mug I found myself lost, is this really something I want? I got an opportunity to move to Bangladesh with a project at the Nokia office there. But Soon I realised this is it, Entrepreneurship is in my blood and I have to build up my own company and that was my dream. Bur Here comes all the challenges : My parents were the service holder and they never wanted me to quit my good corporate job and start business, also they warned me that it would be extremely difficult for me because Bangladesh is highly dominated by men in business, there are few female entrepreneurs but they carried it from their heritage or their spouses . But I was determined that no matter how many challenges I face I will not quit and I will be strong enough to fulfil my dream. I founded Baldha group in the memory of my favourite 100 years old garden ‘Baldha’ which was built by king Narendra Narayan Rai Chowdhury. With very little capital with me and my small team, we first started our new venture Baldha apparel Ltd
Our First order was Silk Pyjama set and our delivery deadline was by two months.
Obviously, we were very nervous, within a short time we have to produce quality garments and also we have to ship it on time. Our supplier was very helpful, he even managed an extra generator when the electricity failed. All the workers, my team, me and even the factory owner we helped each other to iron and sewing the goods. I remember in US I learned if you are a CEO you first need to learn how to clean the floor first. It was a teamwork and there was no gender discrimination or inequality. We provided extra food to the workers to cheer them up. Our quality controller and merchandiser finally checked the goods and we were able to ship the goods. With sweats and tears in our eyes and with little profit margin we were able to fulfil our customer commitment. We captured a video of our production: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeGDJ7_veEQ.
After facing and going through lots of barriers and challenges from society , family and through finance we were able to move on our next venture which was a production house ‘ Tarar Porne’ and we made documentary like beautiful Bangladesh , Golden boat and journey of the spirit to aware the mass media about human rights , environmental rights , labour rights and anticorruption rights . Here are the some links of our work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=re3bp7w48ts&t=2s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tk72gG20oc&t=36s.
We also launched an online news portal http://thekalerjatra.com/ and this online news highly focuses on human rights.
Our Kaler jatra publication already published several books like a princess of the tide, The Global rose, Belong to the world, Journey of the spirit.
Our another new venture Baldha agro limited is focusing on pollution free and chemical free fish and vegetables.
I remember my first convention in UN Leaders summit and I have noticed something very valuable, somehow I lost my badge and it was dropped on the floor but one of the staff who was maintaining the facility took almost one our and found my badge. Humanity does exist, mankind does exist but it starts from the very simple work, from the very simple, hardworking honest people. The UN headquarters at NY has preserved a valuable art work by a poem by Persian poet Sadi
‘Human beings are members of a whole,
In the creation of one essence and soul.
If one member is afflicted with pain,
Other members uneasy will remain.
If you have no sympathy for human pain,
The name of human you cannot retain.. As from Baldha team, we are small and we do not want to carry any pride but in order to help the man kind and
and to do the good work we will never stop , we will keep on trying because“There is no excuse for not trying.”Barak Obama
