spotlight

Working from home

The job market in this country is akin to that of throwing money in a crowded place. Everyone will jump and grab but only a few will end up pocketing the spoils and that too in a manner best described as hostile.

The job market is such that thousands apply for a single position. While a few may get lucky others keep making the rounds of endless interviews. It is harder still when you consider that in many cases there is the delicate matter of being referred for a position as well as the use of bribes. Then of course there is the myth of a 9-5 job where most starter jobs these days stretch beyond the unrealistic 5 o' clock evening deadline.

Only those with high skill levels for specialized sectors are exempted from this rigmarole of job hunting from door to door. For some of the foot weary others, entrepreneurship is a way out. It offers the flexibility to work any hours, which in a way can become all hours of the day. What it does very well is bring about a sense of independence. While many get into small businesses of this type as a side job it can easily turn into a full fledged primetime concern.

Designing with Dipa
Dipa was quite adept at drawing from a very young age. Her interpretations of nature and all its splendour found its way onto everyday objects such as clothes, cushion covers, bed covers and other decorative items. Her dexterity was not only limited to brush and paint. It extended to sewing designs on clothes as well. At first she would send them to different fashion related publications for publicity. Her designs made her quite popular in her locality. After completing her studies in home economics she transformed this hobby into a full scale occupation. Her designs are branded and sold by Kay Kraft and Banglar Mela. It helps to bring in an attractive income of 30-50 thousand where special festivals like eid can rake in a bigger amount.

Catering with Moin
Moin always hated the strict monotonous rigours of a typical job. He wanted to do his own thing his own way. Having worked in a catering company in Japan for seven years, he paved the way for an entrepreneurial venture in Bangladesh. He started his business 'Bhoj' that supplies lunch and light snacks to offices and similar organizations. With the help of his family members the business has gone on to catering to some well known establishments in Motijheel.

In the beginning it was slow moving with profits almost non-existent. At present he is doing well although the price increase of essential goods has provided a slight obstacle. Although this profession requires more effort than most other jobs it is all worth it to Moin who wants to run his own business independently.

Graphic design with Sohel
Sohel could not complete his higher education due to financial constraints. In the absence of a father his older brother looks after the entire family including his mother and sister. He joined a multimedia course and worked through the rest himself earning a decent 15-20 thousand per month. His brother bought him the most prized possession, a computer. He maintains connections with different firms that require illustrations and designs for ads, publications as well as animation.

It is a profession that he thoroughly enjoys. He can help with the family and no longer feels a burden to his older brother.

Money does not only talk, it talks in a hypnotic trance. As a result almost everyone will be running after it with arms outstretched. More entrepreneurs are springing up everyday. Those who do not have the financial backing to start up an office, parlour or shop, work behind the scenes to supply the products. While someone may set up a beauty parlour another person will be busy creating the home made products. One person could be setting up a catering service while many other could be supplying the dishes. There are small homerun centres that teach cooking and other basic home economics courses.

The publication stores in Banglabazaar hire people to compose, edit, proof read and even design covers and illustrations. Case studies have already shown the promise of fashion and computer related fields. Those good with accounting skills are using the machines to perform ledgers and audits for small firms. Talented interior designers are emerging to redefine how people look at a blank wall. The villages and sometimes even it the city we can see people who set up small dairy farms to supply the daily produce.

The often threatening need to make a living is forcing people to be more active in their daily lives. People are gradually giving up the lazy lifestyle preferred and sought after. It's all about a race to make a better life by doing ones own thing.

By Sultana Yasmin
Translated by Ehsanur Raza Ronny

We've decided to give readers from all walks something to look forward to this issue so behold gourmets and lose yourselves in the mouth watering North Indian food festival from 20-29 July at Radisson. If your tongue has become fatigued by Chinese and fast food tastes, this is the best opportunity to opt for something different-food from Rajasthan. The menu has an impressive line-up of items like handiwale gosht ke chaap, in simpler terms lamb chops marinated in whole spices and finished in a handi, murgh sheora natwara, paneer ka mokul, rasgulleh ki subzi, poori and lots more. To add more variety, dishes from Panjab, Lucknow and other North Indian regions have also been included. So make haste to the Radisson and let food consume you entirely.

-LS Desk