Aarong
Encyclopedia
Aarong is a chain of retail outlets located in the major cities of Bangladesh
. It is an enterprise of BRAC
, the largest non-governmental development organisation in the world. In the Bangla language, "Aarong" means a village fair. At present Aarong has 11 domestic outlets (6 in Dhaka
, 2 in Chittagong
, 1 in Sylhet
,1 in Moulvibazar and 1 in Khulna
), 1 franchise in London
as well as considerable export operation in many Europe
an, North America
n and Asia
n countries. Aarong started its venture in 1978 and currently supports over 65,000 Bangladeshi artisans of whom 85 percent are women. Through a network of 647 production sub-centers and 13 production centers, Aarong has developed a platform for the underprivileged artisans across more than 2000 villages of Bangladesh, where they can utilize their indigenous skills to earn a living. Aarong works in collaboration with the Ayesha Abed Foundation, which provides the artisans the platform to exercise their expertise. Additionally, thousands of independent artisans, small entrepreneurs also earn their livelihood by marketing their craft products through Aarong. Aarong's mission is to help sustain rural craftsmanship and find a wider market for their products nationally and internationally.
, crafts on brass, jute, wood
, candles, leather, hand woven cloth and silk products, jewelry and a wide variety of trendy yet indigenous products. The store specialties include Nakshikantha (a traditional form of embroidery rooted to the core of Bangladeshi village women) and Jamdani sarees.
They are currently in talks with Farhana Begum to sign her unique Coffe table design, which turns into a Carom Board
. It was inaugurated on March 25, 2011 by Sir Fazle Hasan Abed
, founder of BRAC
, the NGO that owns Aarong.
The structure is over 36000 square feet (3,344.5 m²) and spans across six floors, each floor being dedicated to a particular segment - clothing, accessories, leather and metal, books and stationery, toys, household products, and others. It also includes an exhibition gallery, a floor dedicated to exclusive products being offered, a premium customer lounge, and a newly branded Aarong Café in the store.
It is a favorite among upper and middle class families. The high product prices gained some criticism, but quality remains prevalent.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
. It is an enterprise of BRAC
BRAC (NGO)
BRAC, based in Bangladesh, is the world's largest non-governmental development organization. Established by Sir Fazle Hasan Abed in 1972 soon after the independence of Bangladesh, BRAC is present in all 64 districts of Bangladesh, with over 7 million microfinance group members, 37,500 non-formal...
, the largest non-governmental development organisation in the world. In the Bangla language, "Aarong" means a village fair. At present Aarong has 11 domestic outlets (6 in Dhaka
Dhaka
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and the principal city of Dhaka Division. Dhaka is a megacity and one of the major cities of South Asia. Located on the banks of the Buriganga River, Dhaka, along with its metropolitan area, had a population of over 15 million in 2010, making it the largest city...
, 2 in Chittagong
Chittagong
Chittagong ) is a city in southeastern Bangladesh and the capital of an eponymous district and division. Built on the banks of the Karnaphuli River, the city is home to Bangladesh's busiest seaport and has a population of over 4.5 million, making it the second largest city in the country.A trading...
, 1 in Sylhet
Sylhet
Sylhet , is a major city in north-eastern Bangladesh. It is the main city of Sylhet Division and Sylhet District, and was granted metropolitan city status in March 2009. Sylhet is located on the banks of the Surma Valley and is surrounded by the Jaintia, Khasi and Tripura hills...
,1 in Moulvibazar and 1 in Khulna
Khulna
Khulna is the third largest city in Bangladesh. It is located on the banks of the Rupsha and Bhairab rivers in Khulna District. It is the divisional headquarters of Khulna Division and a major industrial and commercial center. It has a seaport named Mongla on its outskirts, 38 km from Khulna...
), 1 franchise in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
as well as considerable export operation in many Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an, North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
n and Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
n countries. Aarong started its venture in 1978 and currently supports over 65,000 Bangladeshi artisans of whom 85 percent are women. Through a network of 647 production sub-centers and 13 production centers, Aarong has developed a platform for the underprivileged artisans across more than 2000 villages of Bangladesh, where they can utilize their indigenous skills to earn a living. Aarong works in collaboration with the Ayesha Abed Foundation, which provides the artisans the platform to exercise their expertise. Additionally, thousands of independent artisans, small entrepreneurs also earn their livelihood by marketing their craft products through Aarong. Aarong's mission is to help sustain rural craftsmanship and find a wider market for their products nationally and internationally.
Products
Aarong products include Nakshikantha, potteryPottery
Pottery is the material from which the potteryware is made, of which major types include earthenware, stoneware and porcelain. The place where such wares are made is also called a pottery . Pottery also refers to the art or craft of the potter or the manufacture of pottery...
, crafts on brass, jute, wood
Wood
Wood is a hard, fibrous tissue found in many trees. It has been used for hundreds of thousands of years for both fuel and as a construction material. It is an organic material, a natural composite of cellulose fibers embedded in a matrix of lignin which resists compression...
, candles, leather, hand woven cloth and silk products, jewelry and a wide variety of trendy yet indigenous products. The store specialties include Nakshikantha (a traditional form of embroidery rooted to the core of Bangladeshi village women) and Jamdani sarees.
They are currently in talks with Farhana Begum to sign her unique Coffe table design, which turns into a Carom Board
Branches
- Aarong Flagship Outlet, Uttara, Dhaka
- Aarong at Dhanmondi, Dhaka
- Aarong at Gulshan, Dhaka
- Aarong at Moghbazar, Dhaka
- Aarong at Wari, Dhaka
- Aarong at Mirpur, Dhaka
- Aarong in Sholashahar, ChittagongChittagongChittagong ) is a city in southeastern Bangladesh and the capital of an eponymous district and division. Built on the banks of the Karnaphuli River, the city is home to Bangladesh's busiest seaport and has a population of over 4.5 million, making it the second largest city in the country.A trading...
- Aarong in Halishahar, ChittagongChittagongChittagong ) is a city in southeastern Bangladesh and the capital of an eponymous district and division. Built on the banks of the Karnaphuli River, the city is home to Bangladesh's busiest seaport and has a population of over 4.5 million, making it the second largest city in the country.A trading...
- Aarong in SylhetSylhetSylhet , is a major city in north-eastern Bangladesh. It is the main city of Sylhet Division and Sylhet District, and was granted metropolitan city status in March 2009. Sylhet is located on the banks of the Surma Valley and is surrounded by the Jaintia, Khasi and Tripura hills...
- Aarong in KhulnaKhulnaKhulna is the third largest city in Bangladesh. It is located on the banks of the Rupsha and Bhairab rivers in Khulna District. It is the divisional headquarters of Khulna Division and a major industrial and commercial center. It has a seaport named Mongla on its outskirts, 38 km from Khulna...
- Aarong in Moulvibazar
- Aarong in LondonLondonLondon is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
Flagship Outlet
Aarong established its first flagship outlet on the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway in UttaraUttara
Uttara, which means "north" in Hindi, may refer to:* In the Hindu epic Mahabharata** Uttara , the son of King Virata who went into battle with Arjuna, disguised as his charioteer....
. It was inaugurated on March 25, 2011 by Sir Fazle Hasan Abed
Fazle Hasan Abed
Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, KCMG is a social worker with dual Bangladeshi/ British nationality and the founder and chairman of BRAC . For his outstanding contributions to social improvement, he has received the Ramon Magsaysay Award, the UNDP Mahbub Ul Haq Award and the inaugural Clinton Global Citizen...
, founder of BRAC
BRAC (NGO)
BRAC, based in Bangladesh, is the world's largest non-governmental development organization. Established by Sir Fazle Hasan Abed in 1972 soon after the independence of Bangladesh, BRAC is present in all 64 districts of Bangladesh, with over 7 million microfinance group members, 37,500 non-formal...
, the NGO that owns Aarong.
The structure is over 36000 square feet (3,344.5 m²) and spans across six floors, each floor being dedicated to a particular segment - clothing, accessories, leather and metal, books and stationery, toys, household products, and others. It also includes an exhibition gallery, a floor dedicated to exclusive products being offered, a premium customer lounge, and a newly branded Aarong Café in the store.
It is a favorite among upper and middle class families. The high product prices gained some criticism, but quality remains prevalent.