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Omar Faruk is seen shaping wood into cricket stumps at his factory in Kanaipur union of Faridpur sadar upazila. With just eight workers in total, the factory earns about Tk 30,000 each month after meeting expenses thanks to the high demand for cricket supplies all over the country. The picture was taken recently.

Cricket stump factory paves the way for solvency
SUZIT KUMAR DAS
Omar Faruk, a resident of Basu Naroshinhodia village under Kanaipur union of Faridpur sadar upazila, has not only achieved solvency by setting up a cricket stump factory in the area, but is also helping create jobs for local youths.
Faruk’s factory, which employs seven workers, can produce up to 6,000 sets of stumps each month, ensuring a profit of between Tk 28,000 and Tk 30,000 after meeting all expenses.
“I did not study due to poverty as my father was the sole earner in a family of seven,” he said, adding that he left for Dhaka in search of work at just 11 years of age.
Faruk first worked in different places as a labour before joining a stump-making factory owned by a man from Cumilla named Md Ali.
In lieu of pay, Ali gave Faruk three means a day and a place to sleep for about four years.
Still, Faruk never left the job as he had a passion for cricket and after learning how to make stumps, Ali eventually started paying him Tk 1,000 per month.
Faruk finally left the factory after 12 years and started making stumps in a rented ship beside the Dhaka-Khulna highway in the Kanaipur Bazar area in 2006.
He began the venture with just Tk 8,000 in hand. As the quality of Faruk’s stumps started to improve, so too did sales. He then appointed two assistants within as many years.
During a recent visit to the factory, this correspondent saw that eight people, including Faruk himself, were so busy making wooden stumps that they had no time to even speak to one another.
As per their specialised manufacturing process, one worker was cutting the wood into the right size while another gave it shape and so on.
Faruk currently pays his workers about Tk 80,000 per month in total to run the factory, in which he invested about Tk 12 lakh so far.
Md Shamim, a worker of the factory, said he has been employed by Faruk for two years now.
“I started working with a salary of Tk 6,000 per month but now, I get Tk 15,000 per month,” he added.
Kubad Fakir, another worker, said the factory has created a good opportunity to maintain his family of six.
“I earn Tk 15,000 per month and can even save some money,” he added.
Md Jewel Hossain, who joined the factory just three months ago, said he previously worked as an assistant to a mason.
“It is very hard work and I had to work in rain and sun. In this factory, I can earn Tk 10,000 per month with more comfort,” Hossain added.
Md Al-Amin, yet another worker who was practically destitute before Faruk opened up his factory, said he gets just Tk 5,000 per month as he is still learning how to make the stumps.
“Still, this money helps my father run our family,” he added.
Faruk’s stumps have a great demand in different markets across Bangladesh, including Dhaka, Rajshahi, Bogura, Faridpur and Kushtia.
Md Mozammel, the owner of Korotoya Sports at Chohiruddin Market in Bogura town, said he buys stumps from Faruk as the quality is comparatively better than that of other local producers.
Mostafa Gazi, the owner of Gazi Sports in Dhaka’s Gulistan area, said he has been buying stumps from Faruk for three years now as the finishing of the stumps is very good.
Md Dulal, owner of Khelaghor in Faridpur town, said he can make more good profit by selling Faruk’s stumps as there are few carrying costs.
“But if I buy the stumps from Dhaka, I have spent more money for carrying them,” he added.
Asked about his plans for the future, Faruk said he wants to expand his factory enough to employ at least 50 more people.
However, Faruk then informed that he lacks the capital and despite having spoken to several non-government organisations to avail funds, they refused to give him more than Tk 2 lakh.
“If I get a loan of Tk 25 lakh, I will add more machines and more workers to fulfil the demand,” he added.
Fakir Belayat Hossain, chairman of Kanaipur union Parishad, said Faruk’s factory helps its employees live a better life.
“We need more people like him as even small factories such as these are of great help to the society,” he added.