SRINAGAR: The Kashmir Valley’s Old City, locally known as Downtown and located in Srinagar district, brims with stories of hard work, commitment and resilience. Among them stands Mohammed Yusuf, a local tailor whose quiet perseverance has recently drawn public attention. Photographs of Yusuf working inside his tiny shop have surfaced on social media platforms, gaining widespread traction and prompting many to praise his labour as a symbol of endurance.
Residing in Old Zaina Kadal, near Budshah Tomb, Yusuf has worked as a tailor for decades, stitching countless orders for residents. Speaking to Kashmir Life, he shared his journey with visible excitement, reflecting on a life shaped by hardship and faith.
“I used to be a pheri-wala,” he recalled, referring to an itinerant street vendor who travels across states or districts selling goods directly to consumers. “However, the surge of armed insurgency in the valley during the 1990s turned everything upside down. People’s main concern became survival. I could not continue and had to stay home for months, searching for another way.”
Back then, life in Kashmir was simpler and largely untouched by modernisation. With limited funds and mounting responsibilities, Yusuf began looking for a small-scale business idea. There was no question of a grand showroom, only something sustainable enough to feed his family.
“Due to hardships, I had to start something quickly,” he said. “I had a family at home and had to provide for them. In my whole life, I have practised my religion and followed the teachings of my Prophet whenever life became difficult.”
Yusuf paused, his eyes distant, as he recalled the struggles he had witnessed throughout his life. “Life is not easy, we all know that. However, when patience runs thin, remember to place your faith in the Almighty. No matter how difficult things get, one should never choose the wrong path. Keep living righteously, even if it means eating just once a day.”
In Zaina Kadal, near Budshah’s tomb, narrow peandi shops line the streets, makeshift wooden stalls selling local goods. Spotting an opportunity there, Yusuf opened his tailoring shop after considerable struggle. He has been running it for decades now.
“When I saw this opportunity, I realised I could not get a better one,” he said. “I thought about opening a tailor shop and, after some struggle, I started this shop, which I have been running for decades.”
The early days, he said, were slow. To attract customers, Yusuf began making Kashmiri topis, skull caps worn by men while offering prayers. “Everyone wore them back then. But as culture shifted, sales plummeted,” he recalled.
Facing another setback, Yusuf pivoted again, this time to Kashmiri sadir, locally known as waskat, sleeveless woollen jackets favoured by elders. Many still keep three or four in their wardrobes, ideal for carrying wallets, pocket watches and other essentials.
“I sourced the fabric and experimented with designs to offer variety. Customers loved the options. Sales revived, all thanks to Allah. I earned a decent living,” he explained.
Yusuf said staying busy has helped him cope with life’s uncertainties, his needle flying as he finishes a customer’s alteration. “I have never dwelled on what I cannot control. That keeps depression and anxiety away. An idle mind is the devil’s workshop. One should keep working unless truly unwell,” he said.
As he spoke, a regular customer stepped in, checked on his order, exchanged a few words and left. Yusuf then turned to the subject of young people, particularly unemployment.
“Today’s youth face immense stress due to lack of jobs. It is true they have worked hard and attained education. I myself studied till the 10th standard, but destiny had other plans for me,” he said. “Youngsters should explore business, but at the initial stage they should start small. Sometimes businesses fail, and one must be cautious.”
Suddenly, the loudspeaker of a nearby mosque crackled: “Hello, hello, mic check.” It was Friday, time for prayers. Yusuf began wrapping up, preparing to leave, but not before offering a final reflection.
“Life is like a book with many chapters, some joyful, some testing, some tense. Like a reader, keep turning the pages. Never lose patience or will,” he said.
With a gentle smile, Yusuf closed his shop, greeted passersby, and walked towards the mosque, his story stitched quietly into the living fabric of Downtown Srinagar.
