Crafting the intricate art of staple embroidery, 45 year old Mehmooda Akhtar of Devsar town, is well-known for her handmade crafts.
Mehmooda holds a needle in her hand, showcasing the work she’s rightly celebrated for. She diligently continues her craftwork with the needle. “This is my daily routine. This detailed art is what helped me achieve my goals,” she said.
Through her extraordinary talent ,Mehmooda has not only created a source of livelihood for herself but also transformed the lives of over a dozen women through the art of staple embroidery in Shahoo Sachan area of South Kashmir’s Kulgam district.
Mehmooda Akhtar has inspired the women to transform their lives through the staple embroidery work and earn a good livelihood.
Mehmooda’s journey began with a Departmental Training program organized by Handicrafts Kulgam in 2019.
Exhibiting immense skills in art and craft of staple embroidery while creating livelihood opportunities for many other women, Mehmooda received 2021 UT Award for excellence in staple embroidery, which was presented to her by LG Sinha.
As a mother of two, when she enrolled in the Departmental Training Center, she committed herself wholeheartedly to mastering the craft. She recognized that this craft could be her source of sustenance, her means of livelihood. This craft, renowned worldwide, always commands a significant value, rightfully so for its handmade intricacy.
Today, she doesn’t merely stand as an artisan; she embodies empowerment, extending her acquired skills to uplift fellow women. These are the women who are confined to household chores and have now discovered a new avenue for learning, sharing, and teaching. This newfound opportunity stems from an initiative that provided them with incentives and exposure to art.
It’s a transformation that goes beyond needle and thread, it’s a narrative of empowerment and newfound purpose for those who once solely toiled within the confines of domestic responsibilities.
“Before the training, I couldn’t imagine teaching others, let alone earning from it. I mastered the craft in a year and later trained more women, so that others too can learn and contribute to society,” she said.
Mehmooda’s husband, Mohammad Amin, said the department nurtured her talent, leading to her 2021 UT Award for excellence in staple embroidery.
In March 2022, Commissioner Secretary on his visit to Kulgam also visited Shahoo Village and met Mehmooda Akhtar commending her for winning won UT Level 3rd prize in staple embroidery craft.
“My wife’s embroidery work has eased our family’s finances. We are grateful for the department’s support and the LG award, which boosted her confidence. We have two sons, one in 9th and the other in 10th grade. Now, we both contribute to the income, while my wife also imparts the skill to others,” he said.
Just meters away, another group of women in the same village have preserved the handmade embroidery tradition.
Mohammad Sayed, Assistant Registrar Handicrafts and Handloom Kulgam, said the Karkhandar scheme empowers Mehmooda to share her knowledge.
Ten local girls, each receiving a Rs 2,000 monthly stipend, hone their skills under her watchful eye. Mehmooda, in turn, earns Rs 2,000 per trainee, bringing her a total of Rs 20,000 per month. This exemplifies the scheme’s potential to create micro-entrepreneurs and revitalize local economies.
Asifa (name changed on request) isone such girl whose life changed by adopting embroidery work. She’s a young woman who feels much more sure of herself now. “Before Mehmooda came along, my life was confusing, full of doubts,” she said. “But because of her teaching and patience, and the beautiful things she makes with her needle, I feel like I can also do great things.”
Asifa practices what she learns with Mehmooda, and there’s a lot happening around them. Ten local girls, each getting Rs 2,000 every month through the Karkhandar scheme as mentioned by Sayed, are learning and getting better at what they do. Their futures are tied to this training program, which is really important for them.
“The cooperative society, formed with the Handicrafts and Handloom department’s assistance, receives a Rs 1 lakh grant (offered in two installments), allowing them to earn decent wages and be their own bosses,” Sayed said.
He further said we have over 145 such societies across Kulgam district, empowering women like Mehmooda to become entrepreneurs and stitch a brighter future for themselves and their families.
