Shopian, Jun 28 (KNO): In a heartening tale of self-reliance and empowerment, two sisters from South Kashmir’s Shopian district have been quietly transforming lives—one stitch at a time.
Mehbooba Akhter (40), a resident of Handew in Imamsahib area, and her sister Shabnam Akhter, settled in main Shopian, have been running a knitting training centre for several years. What began as a small initiative driven by passion has now grown into a movement, helping over 200 local women become financially independent.
Initially, due to financial limitations, the sisters could only train a handful of women. However, their fortunes changed in 2018 when they joined the UMEED scheme under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM). With the support they received, the sisters expanded their training capacity and began empowering more women in the region.
“We started with traditional knitting tools and limited means,” said Mehbooba while speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO). “Thanks to NRLM’s financial assistance, we managed to reach hundreds of women. Most of them are now earning their livelihood with dignity.”
The duo now operates a knitting centre in Handew and also runs a shop in main Shopian where they sell hand-knitted items such as mufflers, sweaters, socks, frocks, maizposh (embroidered coverings), gloves, and other woolens. On average, their small unit produces 12 to 15 items daily, fetching Mehbooba alone over Rs 20,000 per month.
Apart from earning for themselves, the sisters have trained at least 200 women, some of whom have purchased their own knitting machines and now work independently from home and supply material to them.
“It was after a basic skill training programme at Rural Self Employment Training Institute (RSETI) that I gained the confidence to start this venture,” Mehbooba shared. “I also learnt how to design and operate machines during the programme.”
Despite their success, the sisters say they are still working on traditional machines, which isn't easy and lack access to modern technology. They are now appealing to the government for help in establishing a modernized knitting unit equipped with advanced machines and proper infrastructure.
“If the government could provide us land and support to establish a full-fledged centre, we could employ hundreds and train many more. This would empower countless women to become self-reliant,” Mehbooba said.
The sisters have also received awards and recognition for their work at various platforms and have showcased their products across both Kashmir and Jammu divisions, thanks to the support provided under JKRLM-UMEED.
“I had the opportunity to interact with many entrepreneurs during exhibitions, and it motivated me further,” she added. “NRLM is a powerful platform for women to come forward, form Self Help Groups (SHGs), and start small businesses.”
They say said that NRLM is a mega platform for women in rural areas where they can start their own business and become financially independent—(KNO)