Shahidul Islam was only 10 when his mother died and his father remarried. He left his village in Shariatpur soon afterwards and came to Dhaka with his elder sister in 1992.

In Dhaka, he started working at a restaurant for three meals a day and Tk 50 a week, paid rather irregularly.

By the time he reached his 18th birthday, he had changed several jobs at grocery stores and eateries.

“I was frustrated and started to look for something new. So, I began to spend time at a blacksmith's shop where my sister's husband worked.”

He added that he learnt the basics of the work there and wanted to stick to the profession.

He borrowed Tk 50,000 from his brother-in-law and bought a lathe machine and set up a shop in Banani Chairman Bari area in 2000.

Over the years, he made a name in making brass medals, trophies, crests and other metal showpieces.

Aged 36, the primary school dropout now has machinery worth over Tk 10 lakh at his shop and employs two smiths.

“We have a steady supply of work now. I pay my workers fairly. I understand their struggles.

“I feel proud when I see my creations displayed in big, fancy stores,” he said as he gave finishing touches on a sculpture.

He added that he gets work orders from multinationals, schools and different event organisers.