Parodorshi: Empowering retirees through community building and freelancing opportunities

According to Mehede, research and development are essential to succeed in such competitions. Photo: Courtesy

During a Product Planning and Development course project, Emam Mehede Hassan, a Marketing student at the University of Dhaka, pitched an idea about how to simplify post-retirement planning for retirees and offer them opportunities to earn even after retirement.

Unfortunately, the idea was rejected. The rejection required him to develop a different concept to pass the course. But Mehede was determined to prove the potential of his idea.

Not only did he pass the course, but his innovative idea also earned him fourth place in the TBS Graduate Scholar Hunt 2024.

Mehede's idea, Parodorshi, is a digital platform aimed at revolutionising post-retirement planning by providing retirees with community-building opportunities and financial independence. It addresses significant challenges retirees face in Bangladesh, such as a lack of purpose, inadequate savings, limited planning options and overall neglect.

Through Parodorshi, members will have access to services such as legal and financial planning, mental health support and travel and leisure activities. Additionally, the platform will offer chat and forum options to foster community engagement among members. 

Recognising that many retirees possess valuable skills but lack the knowledge to utilise them effectively, Parodorshi will also provide freelancing training. This includes teaching market access strategies and equipping members with new skills.

A key component of Mehede's plan is the development of Bangladesh's first freelancing marketplace exclusively for retirees. 

This marketplace will collect outsourcing opportunities from businesses, individuals and corporate partnerships, bridging the gap between skilled retirees and emerging companies at a significantly lower cost. The platform aims to create opportunities for retirees to stay active, engaged, and financially empowered.

After excelling in the competition, Mehede made sure his former professor was the first to know. Reflecting on his professor's priceless reaction, Mehede expressed gratitude that his efforts paid off when it truly mattered.

When asked what inspired him to participate in the event, he shared that his dream of building something from scratch was his primary motivation. He viewed the competition as a stepping stone to turning his vision into reality.

Reflecting on his journey, Mehede shared that the most memorable moment of the competition was pitching his idea to the judges. He credited his strong preparation for helping him navigate the challenging Q&A session. 

When asked about the key skill or lesson he gained from the experience, he said, "I feel that the overall experience has significantly boosted my self-confidence and my hunger for greater achievements. But I guess we'll see how things turn out for me."

According to Mehede, research and development are essential for anyone hoping to succeed in such competitions. 

He advised, "If you think you have a really good concept, don't hesitate to spend hours refining it through research. A common rookie mistake is assuming that a great idea is unique without checking if someone has already turned it into a business. Make sure your plan stands out by identifying your competitive advantages. Don't stop working on or tweaking your plan just because you think it's good enough— there's always room for improvement."

Mehede also shared advice for future participants, emphasising the importance of adopting a growth mindset. He explained, "Develop a win-win mentality instead of a win-lose one. If you treat your defeats as mere losses, they will demotivate you. However, if you view them as opportunities to learn and improve, you can lay the foundation for future successes."

The Scholar Hunt marked its first edition as a flagship competition organised by The Business Standard in collaboration with TBS Graduates. It featured three dynamic categories— Business Administration, Architecture and Engineering and Technology aimed at inspiring students to think strategically and creatively while presenting solutions with real-world impact.