SRINAGAR, JAN 01: In 2018, while pursuing her graduation in Srinagar, Afshana Ahad was enrolled in UMEED, a program empowering girls through education, skill development, and personal growth opportunities. Under this initiative, she underwent three-month training in cooking at the Institute of Hotel Management, Srinagar. Subsequently, Afshana, along with 11 other girls, formed a unit that makes various food items, including Kashmiri Wazwan, and sells both online and at food exhibitions.
In March 2023, during the G20 Working Group Meeting held in Kashmir, the administration established a special food stall named ‘Millet Hub’ for foreign delegates where these girls made various food items.
“We made various dishes such as Ragi, Lotus Stem Chips, Paneer Pakode, Bernyard and beverages, earning immense appreciation from G20 delegates and dignitaries nationwide. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha acknowledged our efforts and pledged assistance, expressing his intent to provide a space for us to establish and run a cafe,” she shared.
Following the completion of necessary procedures, the J&K administration allocated them a space at the DC office in Srinagar, where they established the ‘Srinagar Millet Hub’ and turned their dreams into reality.
Over the last two months, these girls hailing from fishing and farming communities have been operating a restaurant with the aim of supporting their families facing hardships. The restaurant operates every working day from 10 AM to 4 PM, serving a diverse menu that includes Biryani, rice, vegetables, Kashmiri Kehwa, tea, Samosa, Kanti, and a variety of beverages. Notably, they also specialize in preparing Kashmiri traditional Wazwan, with advance orders required for this special dish.
An official of Jammu Kashmir Rural Livelihood Mission said these girls were supported under the UMEED scheme. “They got training at IHM Srinagar for which the department bore the expenses. Besides, our department provided them with all possible support,” she said.
The UMEED scheme of J&K Rural Livelihood Mission (JKRLM) was started in 2019 to engage women from marginalized sections of society in gainful livelihood ventures.
Gulshan Bano, a 30-year-old resident of Shanpora Habak, had to halt her education in the 12th grade due to financial constraints.
In 2017, she applied for a course under the UMEED scheme and successfully completed a three-month program at IHM Srinagar, funded by the government. Leveraging the skills acquired, Gulshan and other girls began serving meals at exhibitions and operated a stall at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in Srinagar for a month annually. Over time, their business expanded, attracting online orders.
She said that the government granted a significant opportunity when they were permitted to cater meals to G20 delegates. “When delegates and visitors tasted our meals, LG Sahab met us and directed officials to allot us space for the restaurant. Earlier we used to make less earnings. Since we started the restaurant there has been an abrupt enhance in our salaries and making monthly earnings of around Rs 5000 each. This is a start and our sales go up,” Gulshan said.
