The selection was made in recognition to the commendable achievements of Polli Unnyan Prokolpo (PUP). The organisation has been exporting 'Nakshi Khantha' and other products made by the organisation since 1986. PUP earned an amount of Tk 1.50 crore by exporting the products to England, Italy, Japan, Denmark and some other countries in Europe, Asia and Australia, said PUP chief coordinator.

The Asian Heritage Foundation has been implementing the project with technical assistance of the Trade Craft, UK.

PUP chief coordinator Sk Md Abu Hassanat (Shahid) initiated the project and produced Cotton and Silk Nakshi Kantha, Woolen Shawl, Silk Scarf, Table Cloth, Cushion Cover, Ladies Bag, Gift Items and Palm Fabric Basket with the help of distressed women.

PUP chief coordinator told that he had started the organisation at Latifpur Colony area in Bogra town with 20 distressed women in 1986. Now the organisation is being run by 450 distressed women including some widows and divorcees.

There is a good demand for PUP products abroad but the organisation lacks adequate money to run the business smoothly, he said. He further said his organisation needs an efficient designer to meet the customers' demand from home and abroad.

Sultana Razia, 30, a divorcee of Dhanut upazila said she was helpless before she entered the PUP. Now she is earning Tk 400 per month as a provisional employee. Another divorcee, Yesmain, 30, was jobless for a long time. When she got the job in PUP, he started earning Tk 550 per month, she said.

More than 450 distressed women have been working here now. All are satisfied with the job. They also save some amount of money from their salaries, they informed.