Leading ladies
Tahmina Rahman
– Amateur Golfer
When we think of golf we usually characterise it as a man's game, but Tahmina Rahman, an amateur female golfer of Bangladesh surely proved us wrong by winning the 2011 Standard Chartered 'Hole in One' effortlessly.
"There is no sport that a woman cannot venture into. All a woman ever needs is a strong mindset and the rest will follow," said Rahman.
She also enlightened us with few of her other bold initiatives, which were equally remarkable.
"Back in 2000, I was determined to get into the dredging business, having seen a lot of prospect in the field. And I proved my worth by becoming the first woman in the private sector dredging business of Bangladesh.
"I did not stop only there, I also initiated a women centric NGO, the BDAWL (Bangladesh Alliance for Women Leadership) in 2008 becoming its founding member and treasurer," she said.
For someone who has achieved so much in a world that is not so vocal about women dreamers, Rahman had motivating words to say-
"I have not let anything stop me from doing what I always wanted to do. At BDAWL, we try to build that courage, the leadership techniques amongst women."
Conversing on her admission into the world of golf she mentions her husband, "I used to play squash before, that's when my husband encouraged me towards golf. One day I came to Kurmitola, to play alongside my husband. Since that day, 11 years ago, I have never looked back, falling completely in love with every aspect of the game."
Naturally, we wanted to know what attracted her so much about the game.
"Well, it's the challenge! Golfing helped build my character; I believe I am more composed, calm and patient today, because of the game. There are a lot of calculations involved and one has to solve them every time to make that – 'one single shot'. Anyone who likes to take up challenges should definitely try golfing as a sport."
Carrying on the conversation, Rahman pointed out how things had improved significantly over the years especially for women in golfing, "The government has helped us a lot in this regard, there is a separate training institute for women and even children. I have a plan to take up formal training someday and try for a professional tournament, if I see myself fit. After all, life would be bland without a good challenge!"
Nadia Samdani
- Art Enthusiast
Art masterpieces are always the tell-tale consequence of passion, so are exclusives art collections. Nadia Samdani proves these words to be overtly true by being recognised as one of the most coveted art collectors in the world.
The recognition is especially meaningful because she hails from Bangladesh, a country where a proper art gallery was nonexistent even a few years ago, and women art enthusiasts were almost unheard of. "My first ever painting was an S M Sultan," says Samdani. "Being a second generation art collector, I am glad to have had the opportunity to visit many art galleries all over the world, which ultimately helped in developing my passion for art."
Continuing with her story Samdani revealed, "The frequent visits to the countless Biennales, all over the world, also made me terribly upset because it made me realise our lack for even a single, properly curated art gallery in our country."
"My husband, Rajeev Samdani also felt the same, that's when Dhaka Art Summit happened. Together, with the help of international curators and art researchers, we decided to hold similar, international standard art exhibitions in Bangladesh. Our vision was to make the exhibition an open platform where everyone would be invited, for free."
Samdani wishes that such grand scale initiatives will ultimately make significant positive impact in the country's art scenario; as everyone would be able to experience art better.
"In foreign countries, children are encouraged to visit art galleries during school trips; here, we had no such thing. So, as an initiative to encourage children towards art, the Dhaka Art Summit especially encourages children from all kinds of schools to visit the four day exhibition. These school-goers are our future artists, curators and collectors; I am glad to have been able to motivate them, even, if it is by the tiniest amount," says Samdani.
She does not just stop there, but adds on, saying, "There is a lot of hard work that goes behind every single exhibition, but we never give up only because we are extremely passionate about it and want to truly make a difference. Nothing would have been possible though, if I was not enthusiastic enough."
As an advice to the future generation especially women, Nadia Samdani had few words to say - "If you are into homemaking, do it because you love it not because it's a duty. As long as you have a positive mindset and you are passionate about something, you will end up being successful and happy."
Azra Mahmood
– Model and Choreographer
Average height, dark skinned and chirpy, that might not sound like your usual depiction of a super model, especially in the context of Bangladesh. But she has made it far beyond, with a sensationally photogenic face and soaring self-confidence, no one could ever stop Azra Mahmood from realising her dreams.
"I have always wanted to be a model! There is nothing in the world that I would want to be as an alternative. I love my work and not a single day feels like I am bogged down by it. I am extremely lucky to have found my true calling," says the evergreen prima donna.
Hearing her comment so positively about a profession that is often looked at with some doubt, especially in a highly conservative society, it might seem slightly perplexing to some.
Mahmood believes otherwise.
"The fashion modelling industry in Bangladesh has grown tremendously over the past 10 years. Compared to when I started, there are way more female models today. More people are getting interested in this field and surely plunging in. In due time, I would expect more models to turn into choreographers or show directors as well."
Azra Mahmood, after a long standing and fascinating era as a model, turned into a fashion show choreographer, and shares her viewpoint as an experienced professional in the field.
"Directing a show is a different ball game all together. It might seem easy, yet it's not. It's a lot of work. And on top of that there is no way of learning the craft other than from one's own personal experience. I am trying to hire models as my assistants hoping to train them to become future choreographers." Mahmood had one more word to say to the future aspirant models - 'Patience!' The diva depicts that usually aspiring models had the necessary dedication and were willing to work hard but they also needed to have a lot of patience and a strong mindset to ever make it to the top.
These are only few inspirational stories about successful women who proved themselves worthy only because they believed in themselves. There are million more stories like theirs; of women who thought differently and finally made it to the top. Let's make a pact to read more about their encouraging life stories and draw inspiration from their efforts to sketch a similar inspiring life for ourselves.
By Mehrin Mubdi Chowdhury
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