“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door”
– Milton Berle
Entrepreneurship refers to the process of creating or starting a new business venture in order to provide a product or service that meets the needs or desires of customers. Entrepreneurs are individuals who identify a business opportunity and take the initiative to organise, develop, and manage a new venture. Entrepreneurship involves taking calculated risks, being innovative and resourceful, and being able to adapt to changing circumstances. It requires a deep understanding of the market and the ability to develop and execute a viable business plan. Entrepreneurship can take many forms, from starting a small business to developing a new product or service, to launching a tech startup. Successful entrepreneurship can lead to job creation, economic growth, and innovation.
Kashmir has witnessed decades of political turmoil, terrorism, proxy war by Pakistan and unrest which led to lack of development in the region. When the rest of the country moved by leaps and bounds, Kashmir was still struggling to get over the damage caused by our adversary. After relentless effort by the Armed Forces, Government, the Kashmiri population has realised the deceit tactics and double standards of Pakistan, Kashmir is finally moving towards normalcy and progress. Growing trend of entrepreneurship in Kashmir, is a testimony to the changing times. Despite the challenges, many entrepreneurs in Kashmir are finding success by leveraging technology and innovation to create new opportunities. Kashmir has a rich entrepreneurial history and Kashmiri youth are opting to start their own businesses instead of seeking traditional employment. Within the boundaries of unfavourable environment in the valley, entrepreneurs in Kashmir have continued to innovate and create successful businesses. Few examples of successful entrepreneurs in Kashmir who have led the way and become bastions of changing Kashmir includes, ‘Arif Sofi’ who founded a startup called Goodwill Enterprises. The company provides clean energy solutions to rural communities in Kashmir, where electricity is scarce and unreliable.
Goodwill Enterprises has been successful in providing solar power to homes and businesses in remote areas, and has received funding from the Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI), a government agency that supports startups in the region. Another important name in the field to mention is ‘Shazia Kamili’, who founded the start-up Idaara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA) to address the lack of quality education in Kashmir. The company provides online learning resources to students in the region, and has partnered with local schools to provide teacher training and support. ITA has been successful in improving education outcomes in Kashmir, and has received recognition from the Indian government for its innovative approach. ‘Mehvish Mushtaq’ is the founder of the Android app ‘Dial Kashmir’ which provides information on various services and facilities in the region, including emergency services, tourist attractions, and restaurants. The app has been downloaded over 100,000 times and has received widespread recognition. ‘Irfan Ahmad’ is the founder of the Kashmir Box, an e-commerce platform that promotes traditional Kashmiri products such as handicrafts, clothing, and food items. The company has grown rapidly, with over 200,000 customers across India and the world. ‘Faiq Khan’ is the founder of the Koshur Cart, an online store that sells Kashmiri food products such as saffron, honey, and walnuts. The company has received recognition from the Government of India and has expanded its operations to other parts of the country. ‘Adil Mushtaq Shah’ is the founder of Kashmir Crown Bakery, a bakery that specialises in traditional Kashmiri bread.
The bakery has been successful in promoting traditional Kashmiri food and has expanded its operations to other parts of India. These are just a few examples of the many successful entrepreneurs in Kashmir who have overcome various challenges and have continued to innovate and create successful
businesses in the region. These success stories are just a few examples of the growing entrepreneurial ecosystem in Kashmir. The region has seen an increase in startup incubators, accelerators, and funding opportunities in recent years, which has helped to create a supportive environment for entrepreneurs. Kashmir remains optimistic about the future and considers entrepreneurship as a way to create jobs and drive economic growth in the region. With the right support and resources, they believe that Kashmir can become a hub of innovation and entrepreneurship, and a model for other regions facing similar challenges. Entrepreneurship has the potential to play a significant role in the economic development of Kashmir, and there are several ways that can help to promote and support entrepreneurship in the region. One of the biggest challenges for entrepreneurs in Kashmir is access to finance. The government and private sector should work together to provide access to affordable credit and loans to support entrepreneurs in starting and expanding their businesses.
There is a need to focus on skill development and training programs that can help to enhance the entrepreneurial capabilities of individuals. Such training programs can help to promote the development of innovative ideas and assist in the growth of start-ups. There is a need to develop the necessary infrastructure such as incubation centers, co-working spaces, and networking opportunities to support entrepreneurs. Such infrastructure can help to foster innovation and promote the growth of start-ups in the region. The government should create a favourable policy environment that encourages and supports entrepreneurship. The policies should focus on removing the regulatory hurdles, providing tax incentives and promoting ease of doing business in the region. Entrepreneurship requires access to mentorship and networking opportunities and the government and private sector should provide such support to the budding entrepreneurs. Mentoring programs can help entrepreneurs to learn from the experienced entrepreneurs and networking opportunities can help them to connect with potential investors and customers.
In nutshell to conclude, the development of entrepreneurship in Kashmir requires a concerted effort from the government, private sector, and civil society. With the right policies, infrastructure, and support, entrepreneurship can play a significant role in the economic development of the region. The path of progression through which Kashmir is travelling finally leads to economic stability of the region and a free Kashmir from the clutches of radicalisation, extremism and false propagandas. The path she is following is that of peace and hope, Insha-Allah, let this path finally lead Kashmir to her former glory and once again turn Kashmir into a Heaven on Earth.
