Trains Over 40 Students, Promotes Horse Riding as a Livelihood, Encourages Youth to Stay Away from Drug Abuse, Excessive Mobile Phone Use
PAMPORE, October 20: In an effort to revive Kashmir’s traditional cultural heritage and encourage young people to engage in positive and healthy activities, Mohammad Shifan Abbas, an educated youth from Srinagar, has launched a horse-riding initiative in Pampore area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
Horse riding, once an important part of Kashmir’s traditional culture and royal heritage, is gradually regaining attention through the efforts of young enthusiasts like Shifan, who aims to reconnect the younger generation with this age-old practice.
Through his initiative, Shifan is training students in horse riding, encouraging them to explore their interests, develop new skills and participate in constructive activities.
Speaking about his initiative, Shifan said that horse riding was gaining popularity in Punjab and expressed hope that similar efforts in Kashmir would help revive the tradition and encourage more young people to take an interest in the sport.
He said the initiative was not limited to preserving Kashmir’s rich cultural heritage but also aimed at providing young people with a healthy and productive way to spend their time. He believes that involving youth in constructive activities like horse riding can help steer them away from drug abuse and other harmful influences.
The initiative in Galander, Pampore, also highlights the potential of traditional activities to create livelihood opportunities for young people while promoting physical activity and cultural awareness.
Through his efforts, Shifan hopes to inspire more youngsters to rediscover Kashmir’s traditional horse-riding culture, pursue their passions and contribute towards building a healthier, more productive and culturally connected society.
Speaking to Morning Kashmir, Mohammad Shifan Abbas, a resident of Srinagar, said that horse riding had been his childhood passion. With encouragement, guidance and support from some of his friends, he decided to turn his passion into a potential source of livelihood.
“The main motive behind this initiative is to promote our culture and revive traditions that we have gradually forgotten. Horse riding has been an important part of our history, as horses were once among the primary means of transportation used by our ancestors.
Through this initiative, we want to reconnect people, especially the younger generation, with this rich cultural heritage,” he said.
Abbas told Morning Kashmir the initiative also aims to encourage young people to stay away from drug addiction and excessive mobile phone use by engaging them in a healthy and productive activity.
“We want our youth to remain mentally and physically fit. Horse riding is not only a recreational activity but can also provide a good source of livelihood. At a time when unemployment has become a major concern, this field offers opportunities for those who are willing to work hard, dedicate their time and pursue it with commitment,” he added.
Highlighting his efforts to train young people, Abbas said that more than 40 students had already received training in horse riding, while several others continued to approach him to learn the skill.
“There is no age limit for learning horse riding. It is an excellent activity for physical fitness and can also become a sustainable livelihood option. With dedication, hard work and time investment, young people can explore opportunities in this field and reduce their dependence on limited employment options,” he said.
Abbas further observed that horse riding and related businesses had not yet gained significant popularity in Kashmir compared to other parts of the country, particularly Punjab, where the activity has developed into a thriving business on a considerable scale.
“Our aim is to bring similar opportunities to Kashmir and develop horse riding as a profession and a business. We want to see the kind of growth taking place in other parts of the country replicated here on a much larger scale, while also preserving and promoting our cultural heritage,” he said.
Shifan appealed to young people to come forward, explore their interests and participate in constructive activities that promote both personal development and cultural preservation.
