Candle factory brings light to a man

Abul Kalam Azad is poor and physically disabled but he dreams to stand on his own feet. He thought about his dream from childhood but he didn’t receive support from his family; as they live from hand to mouth. The physically impaired boy builds candles at a factory named ‘Azad Mombati’ (Azad Candle) in his home. His produced candles create a high demandable market in Lalmonirhat. Abul wants to expand his factory but he lacks proper capital. He is still adamant about reaching his destination.
Abul’s father died 15 years ago, he is the youngest of three brothers. His other brothers are Chand Miah a rickshaw puller and Salam Miah works as day laborer.
Abul Kalam Azad read till class ten in a local school for disabled at Khatapara Majhar village of Aditmari upazila in Lalmonirhat. Abul took training on how to produce candle. He started his new life through producing candles on a machine in his home. At first he took help of his aged mother Amena Bewa to produce candles; he use to supply these in the market riding on a wheelchair. He produced 200 to 250 pieces of candle on the single machine everyday and he earned Tk 120 to 150 everyday three years.
Now he is the owner of three machines. His produced candle have high demand in the market but he cannot meet the demand.
“Now I have a market of one thousand dozen (12 thousand pieces). If I had ten machines, I would be able to fulfill the market demand.
Before starting the factory, they faced untold suffering. Mobarok Hossain, a shop owner at BDR railway gate in the town said, Azad Mombati is better than the competitors, resulting Azad Mombati has created high demand in the market.
“I ordered for 50 dozens but only 15 dozens were supplied to my shop. Customers always want to purchase Azad Mombati,” he said adding he suggested Azad to expand his factory immediately.