In Kashmîr, some brave men and women give up their jobs with disposable incomes and get into sustainable entrepreneurial activities. Babra Wani explores tales of resilience, determination, and the sweet contentment of choosing the less travelled path.
In Handwara, 30-year-old Nouman Dar has forged his path. Against the odds, he chose to leave his established government job to pursue his own business, now evolving into a thriving enterprise through his dedication and determination.
A football coach with the Sports Council since 2017, Nouman enjoyed the security of a government job with a substantial salary and perks. Driven by the desire to venture out on his own, he decided to quit. At 25, he quit his job, citing difficulties in travelling to Srinagar and a stronger connection to nature as influencing factors. He embarked on a new journey by starting a sheep farm.
Nouman’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to explore various ventures, including contract work, launching a tour and travel company, and establishing agricultural farms. “We had a piece of land on the By-pass, and there we started our fruit farm,” he said. “We are also considering entering the business of manufacturing pesticides and fertilizers.”
Desperate to retain his passion for football, he established a football academy and faced challenges in maintaining it. “I am also a football player; sometimes I still play.”
Transitioning to sheep farming was not without hurdles. “I did not know sheep or their rearing. Initially, I bought eight sheep, and later, twenty more,” he said. “Due to my limited knowledge, the mortality rate of sheep increased during winter. I did not know how to feed them, handle diseases, or provide proper treatment.”
With time and experience, Nouman took his challenge seriously. He credited his family’s unwavering support and financial backing for his success. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Arts and several diplomas, Nouman invested all his earnings and savings into his business. Presently, he sustains himself and generates employment for four others. “I love to be free and not chained by a job, so I became self-sufficient. I am very content, very satisfied, and I have no regrets.”
Nouman is the only person who gave up lucrative government service and decided to create avenues for himself and others. Many people are looking for sustainable ventures instead of uninterrupted disposable incomes.
Into Nursery
Mushtaq Ahmed Bhat lives in Qaimoh, Kulgam. He left his police job after six years in 2006, shifting gears to oversee his father’s long-established nursery. After six years, he re-evaluated his career and immersed himself in his father’s thirty-five-year-old nursery. “We have had this nursery for almost thirty-five years now,” Mushtaq affirmed, “Alhamdulilah it is doing very well.”
At 47, Mushtaq’s fruit nursery thrives, producing over two lakh fruit plants of around 150 varieties. The expansive nursery spans over a hundred Kanals of land, employing over 50 individuals.
“Government jobs did not align with my aspirations; I desired greater heights in life,” Mushtaq explained his departure from the government job. “Hence, the transition from quitting a government job to venturing into the nursery, a part of my life since childhood.”
While acknowledging challenges with different operational approaches between him and his father, Mushtaq is content. “I do not have any regrets; Alhamdulilah I am doing very well in my business. And I am planning to expand it more.”
Banking to Business
In South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, Sajad Bin Qadri, 55, a former banker, has transitioned from a lucrative career to successful entrepreneurship, garnering pride for himself and his family.
Having served the banking sector for over two decades, Sajad resigned in 2011 while heading the Andheri branch of Jammu and Kashmir Bank. He cited the desire for a change and a break from a mundane routine as driving factors. “This routine job somehow looked boring, and then I decided that I should be an employer rather than an employee.”
Despite the financial stability and rewards associated with his banking job, Sajad harboured an innate longing to venture into independent business. The transition, however, was far from seamless. Lacking business knowledge and familial background, he faced the daunting task of starting a new enterprise.
Gaining the support and trust of his family was a crucial step for Sajad, who prepared them mentally and communicated his vision before getting into business. In 2012, he initiated the process, of securing land in Anantnag’s Industrial Estate for setting up a unit. The subsequent year saw the establishment of his full-time construction business, specialising in manufacturing bricks, hollow blocks, floor tiles, and more.
Sajad acknowledged the initial hardships, emphasising his mental preparedness for the challenges. He invested personal funds without resorting to loans, relying on family savings for financial backing. “We decided to be limited in our approach when it came to investing. We did not want to do more than what we could afford,” he said.
While grappling with challenges such as workforce recruitment and customer acquisition during the transitional phase, Sajad’s perseverance prevailed. Presently, he operates a unit in Anchidora, employing ten individuals. Despite earning less than his previous banking position, Sajad expressed satisfaction and emphasised the value of mental peace and contentment. “I do not regret quitting my job ever, even though at present, I earn less than what I used to,” Sajad said. “But I am hopeful that I would be able to manage to balance that too.”
Trip to Vlogging
Mian Imad u Rahman, recognized as Imad Clicks in Kashmir, has gained fame for visual content creation. Before venturing into vlogging and videography, Imad, a Srinagar resident, worked in project sales management and facility management in Dubai for more than three years. It was during this period that he discovered his passion for vlogging.
In 2018, at the age of 30, Imad resigned and flew home. “I had developed this passion for vlogging, and upon returning to Kashmir, I had nothing substantial to do, so I started vlogging,” he said. Imad aimed to showcase the culture, heritage, and lifestyle of Kashmiris to the world, driven by the scarcity of quality content on Kashmir available online. He purchased equipment and began pursuing his passion for vlogging.
The concept of vlogging and content creation was new in Kashmir in 2018. After more than a year of vlogging, suggestions from his audience led Imad to explore wedding photography and videography. “Apart from vlogging, I also did photography, so people suggested I pursue it professionally, and that is when I started doing wedding shoots, which was a new experience for me.” The positive response opened doors to offers for music videos and documentaries, eventually leading to the establishment of his full-fledged production company in 2020.
In 2022, Imad expanded his portfolio to include advertisement films, initially collaborating with local companies. After Covid 19, he ventured into pre-wedding shoots and started creating travel content. His work caught the attention of Bollywood, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Imad emphasised the unexpected transition from a passionate vlogger to a professional with monetary gains. “When people started enjoying my work and offering me opportunities, the idea struck me that if I can earn good money from it, why not pursue these opportunities since I don’t have a conventional job.”
Imad, who had a well-settled career spanning over eight years in Dubai, faced initial resistance from his family. With time, however, brand deals and a stable income from his work helped his initially sceptical parents recognise the viability of his career choice.
Ali’s Journey
Ali Ahmer Baigh holds a degree in IT and has roots in Hazratbal. He lives in Jammu. He embarked on a unique journey with experience in seven different careers, including over five years of work in Saudi Arabia. In 2021, at the age of 29, he flew home and established his outdoor company, specialising in leading outdoor activities like treks and hikes.
Though a field chemist, he is passionate about coordinating hiking activities. Upon returning home, he pursued certificate courses, and freelancing, and acquired the necessary skills for his profession before launching his own company. Leveraging his IT background, Ali independently set up his website and social media platforms.
Hailing from a middle-class family, Ali faced initial reservations from his family. For individuals from the middle class, the decision to quit is challenging. He acknowledged the tough phase without a stable income but highlighted the crucial psychological aspects of such transitions. During the challenging days, financial constraints and emotional dilemmas tested Ali’s resolve, but he persevered. Ali is now happy and content with what he is doing.
Giving up established jobs is not a male area only. There are women too.
From Dentistry to Calligraphy
Aqsa Nourain, 28, is a dental surgery graduate. She found liberation after giving up her profession. Drawn to calligraphy and resin art, she swiftly decided to pursue her passion and establish her own business. Aqsa, who had been working at a private clinic, expressed dissatisfaction with her dental job, prompting her departure.
Aqsa completed her BDS in 2020, worked from August 2021 to December 2022, and highlighted the inadequate returns on her time and energy investment as a contributing factor to her decision. “I was not that much satisfied with that job. So, I quit,” she stated, citing the lack of government posts for dentists and a sense of insecurity in the private sector.
Amidst personal challenges, Aqsa faced initial financial crises due to limited family support. Despite familial scepticism about her professional shift, Aqsa launched her calligraphy business gradually, starting with a small-scale operation. “I did not go for bulk produce, rather I began slowly. But Alhamdulilah the response was very good,” she remarked.
Social media promotion helped her get orders. She also delved into online coaching for Islamic lessons, expanding her business portfolio. Aqsa invested her savings to kickstart her venture, emphasising its profitability despite initial family reservations.
While her family has warmed up to her work, Aqsa acknowledges lingering scepticism due to her professional dentistry background. Notably, she successfully published a journal that gained popularity within her circle, further establishing her unconventional path as a thriving source of income.
“I am a doctor by education, I did not know anything about business or how to run it or the nuances of it, so that was a bit challenging,” Aqsa said. “But running a business is always a good option.”
Merry Mariya
Mariya Reshi, 31, lives in Srinagar and has carved her path to success, transitioning from a private job to the government sector and eventually establishing her business empire. Holding a bachelor’s degree in Food Technology from the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Mariya embarked on her journey by working as a teacher in a private school, followed by a stint in the government sector.
“I always had this feeling that I am not satisfied. I wanted to do something that would suffice me,” Mariya expressed. During her government job, she ventured into selling items like shawls and suits door to door, marking the inception of her entrepreneurial journey. The disruption caused by Covid19 pandemic led her to create an online platform on Instagram, resulting in a successful online business.
With her customer base expanding, Mariya opened a store in HMT in response to the demand, eventually leading to further expansion. “I went to Delhi and bought some good products of make-up, bridal lehengas, etc., over there,” she stated. In June 2022, Mariya established her makeup academy, driven by positive responses and the advice of her mentor.
Unable to work as a freelance makeup artist, Mariya aimed to assist others in earning their livelihood by starting the academy. Subsequently, she opened a boutique in May 2023 and plans to launch another one this year. Despite appearing smooth, Mariya’s journey faced financial challenges. “I left a good job of teaching, then I left the government job, and then I started everything on my own,” Marya said. “It was not a smooth sail, but with firm belief, honesty, and consistency, I was able to do it.”
Mariya confronted the challenges of working in a male-dominated field, but after more than three years, she now heads a 10-member team. Hailing from a business family, Mariya harboured a longstanding desire to start her venture. “I was not at peace in my jobs. I always wanted to start my own thing.” Initially, with zero investment, she relied on connections, but soon realised the need to invest her savings, marking a turning point in her business trajectory.
Despite the regret of starting her business late, Mariya appreciates the support from her family and in-laws. Now, Mariya is a lifestyle blogger too.
