From a quiet riverside community to the dazzling lights of the runway—this is the story of "Shotta," a journey where craft becomes confidence, heritage becomes design, and marginalised women step into the spotlight with dignity, skill, and a new identity.

Sheikh Saifur Rahman

A runway glowing under brilliant lights. Confident models walk with poise in exquisite outfits, each step echoing stories—stories woven into colours, motifs, and fabrics. But this shimmering runway holds more than fashion; it carries the illuminated lives of women whose everyday struggles have now found a new stage of hope.

This is the story of Shotta, which began in the Rishi community of Beraid.

Beraid's Heritage: A Return to the Roots

Beraid, one of Dhaka's oldest localities, sits by the historic Balu River. During the Mughal era, it flourished as a centre of trade and craftsmanship. Carrying that heritage even today is a community of marginalized people—mostly from the dalit community of Rishi caste.

They traditionally are cobblers; their livelihoods revolve around leatherwork, shoe stitching, and sandal making. But with time, opportunities dwindled, uncertainty rose, and survival became more difficult.

A New Dawn: The Birth of Shotta

To bring light back into these women's lives, Sajida Foundation stepped in with its transformative initiative — Suddhin Shotta.

Women who once never stepped outside the confines of their homes are now earning, contributing, and sharing the weight of their households. Alongside Rishi women, other marginalised women from the locality have also joined the initiative.

Their eyes now hold a renewed self-belief, their hands hold new skills, and their hearts hold a proud identity—

"I am an artisan. I am Shotta."

Possibilities in Women's Handcrafted Art

The Shotta project goes far beyond skill training — it is a holistic journey of personal growth.

Here, women learn: Block print, Batik, Embroidery, Natural dyeing, Hand painting, Tailoring and hand-embroidery.

They blend rich Bengali craft traditions with modern design to create clothing that is stylish, sustainable, and culturally rooted.

And Shotta offers more than technical skills. Each woman receives: Telehealth support, Mental wellbeing counselling, Leadership and confidence-building training, Digital literacy development; because Shotta believes a true artisan is shaped not only by her hands but by her mind and spirit.

Stepping Into the Market: A Stage for Their Creations

Currently, four female entrepreneurs are leading the initiative, joined by a professional fashion designer.

Their beautifully crafted garments were recently showcased on the runway of Dhaka Flow Fest, where each outfit seemed to narrate a woman's journey to liberation. This was not just the success of clothes—it was the rebirth of an entire community.

A remarkable leap from the margins to the mainstream.

A New Dawn Awaits: Arka Fashion Week

In the first week of December, Shotta's handcrafted creations are set to grace the runway once again at Arka Fashion Week.

Shotta is no longer just a project — it is a quiet revolution.

When a woman threads a needle, she doesn't merely embroider patterns on fabric; she stitches together her own future.

The runway lights may dim, but the light now glowing in the Rishi community of Beraid — will continue to shine.

That radiance is Shotta.