Valley’s entrepreneurs narrate success stories at khadi expo

M Aamir Khan

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Tribune News Service

Srinagar, October 5

The ongoing khadi exhibition at Kashmir Haat is showcasing success stories of young Valley-based entrepreneurs that are bound to inspire other youth wanting to start their business ventures.

Umar Muheet Shah from Bandipora in North Kashmir, who started his unit around a decade back, now employs 42 artisans and their products are exported to different states. “Producing blankets used to be our ancestral business but later I set up a Kamraz Khadi Ashram and now we produce a whole lot goods including handmade blankets, coats, jackets and socks. Forty-two artisans work at our unit and goods produced are exported to different states, mostly in North India,” said Shah.

He said though his products were mostly exported, this time, the response among the local population too was encouraging. “As it gets cold in the mornings and evenings, our products especially jackets and waist coats are in good demand among the locals during this exhibition,” he said.

Another youth, Mohsin Bashir from Bijbehara in South Kashmir, started manufacturing leather goods at his unit a year back and is now planning to start a shoe-making unit as well.

“I set up a unit a year back in which we manufacture laptop bags, wallets, pouches, key-chains, mobile pouches and other leather goods. I received good export orders during the exhibition and otherwise too, the business has been good. I am now setting up another shoe-making unit shortly,” he said, while adding that the unemployed youth in Kashmir should also consider setting up their own ventures.

The entrepreneurs had started their units with the assistance of J&K Khadi and Village Industries Board (JK-KVIB). Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Kashmir Division) of the board Muzaffar Allaqband said they had so far provided assistance to over 48,000 units in the state.

“The KVIB has established 48,209 units so far creating employment opportunities for 1,02,947 workers. These units are producing products to the tune of Rs 1,895 crore annually. Our focus is self-reliance. We not only provide finance but also provide training and assist in marketing,” he said.