Cholo Egiye Jai, a book featuring the stories of 99 entrepreneurs from Bangladesh’s beauty industry, has been published, The Daily Star reported. The book was unveiled at a ceremony on September 25 at the Notre Dame Club Auditorium in Banani. Desh Publications published it.
Afroza Parvin, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Ujjwala and a prominent beauty expert, led the planning and editorial direction of Cholo Egiye Jai.
Who Attended the Cholo Egiye Jai Launch
The event brought together entrepreneurs from the beauty industry, writers, poets, journalists, beauty experts and fashion designers. The programme opened with a Rabindra Sangeet performed by Antara Ray Chowdhury. Prominent lifestyle journalist Labannya Lipi delivered the welcome address.
Beauty expert Kaniz Alamas Khan then addressed the gathering. Khan praised the initiative and highlighted the important role women play in Bangladesh’s beauty services sector.
Business Leaders Discuss Challenges
Sangita Ahmed is President of the Bangladesh Women’s Chamber of Commerce. Farzana Khan is Deputy Managing Director of the SME Foundation. They spoke about the challenges women face in their professional journeys. Both expressed pride as women in seeing others move forward despite these obstacles.
Ahmed said she looks forward to the second volume of Cholo Egiye Jai. Farzana Khan said she would have been happy to be the 100th woman featured in the book. Other women are also building skills and networks, as in digital platforms that simplify business registration.
Featured Entrepreneurs Share Their Stories
Three of the entrepreneurs featured in the book shared their stories at the event. They are Maruf Munna, Mohsina Munni and Ikra Ahsan Chowdhury. Each has faced various challenges at different stages of life and built a position by overcoming those obstacles.
They expressed their gratitude to Ujjwala and Afroza Parvin for their support and encouragement.
Writers Praise the Cholo Egiye Jai Initiative
The event also featured remarks by Bangla Academy Award-winning writer Nasima Anis and writer, editor and publisher Nahida Ashrafi. Anis said creating women entrepreneurs in the beauty sector is an important initiative in the developing world.
“Women in our society contribute labour to their families, but that labour often has no financial value. This is a major reason for their vulnerability. When a woman entrepreneur begins to earn, she starts contributing to her family and society,” Anis said.
“Society is then compelled to recognise her,” Anis added. The writer said the work Afroza Parvin has undertaken from her position deserves appreciation.
Ashrafi congratulated the entrepreneurs featured in Cholo Egiye Jai, which Afroza Parvin edited. “When a makeup artist transforms someone, they do not simply enhance their external appearance; they also make them more confident,” Ashrafi said. “In a way, we are all beauticians. Some of us work with words, while others work with makeup.”
Ashrafi added that awakening this consciousness of beauty and aesthetics could help society move much further forward. Programs elsewhere train women too, as with the WeRise Network in Ghana.
Unveiling and Closing of the Evening
In her vote of thanks, Afroza Parvin spoke about Ujjwala’s journey and its efforts to create opportunities for women beauty professionals. She also spoke about the publication of Cholo Egiye Jai. She expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed to the initiative and attended the event.
Following her remarks, the guests formally unveiled Cholo Egiye Jai. Prominent and popular actor Afsana Mimi hosted the event. Mimi kept the programme engaging with lively and thoughtful interactions. Mimi also recited an excerpt from a poem by Shankha Ghosh.
The evening concluded with another musical performance by Antara Ray Chowdhury. Access to finance is a related theme elsewhere, as in a planned barometer in Romania.
Frequently asked questions
What is Cholo Egiye Jai?
Cholo Egiye Jai is a book featuring the stories of 99 entrepreneurs from Bangladesh’s beauty industry, published by Desh Publications.
Who led the book's planning and editorial direction?
Afroza Parvin, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Ujjwala and a prominent beauty expert, led the planning and editorial direction.
Where was the book unveiled?
It was unveiled at a ceremony on September 25 at the Notre Dame Club Auditorium in Banani.
Will there be a second volume?
Sangita Ahmed, President of the Bangladesh Women’s Chamber of Commerce, said she looks forward to the second volume of Cholo Egiye Jai.
