There are numerous tales of inspirational women from Kashmir recounting their resilience against societal and cultural barriers while driving noteworthy social and economic progress within their communities.
One such woman is Tawheeda Akthar, aged 31, who hails from Gund Hasi Bhat area of Lawaypora, situated on the outskirts of Srinagar. Tawheeda’s upbringing happened in a financially disadvantaged family, making her journey even more remarkable.
The entrepreneur-cum-trainer was the eldest child in her family. Since their father was a laborer, it was difficult for the family to manage expenses and studies of the children.
Tawheeda initially attended a local government school for her primary education. She subsequently completed her 12th-grade examination at a government higher secondary school.
Facing financial constraints, she had to discontinue her education. However, she found an alternative path by enrolling in the Industrial Training Institute (ITI) in Bemina. There, she pursued sewing technology and secured the first position in her class, mastering the skills of sewing and cutting along the way.
“In my pursuit of education, I encountered significant challenges. My father, employed as a laborer, struggled to finance my schooling, making it a tough journey. Despite the hardships, I was determined to acquire valuable skills. There were instances when I lacked even the bus fare. Nevertheless, I persevered, driven by the desire to ensure my siblings could also continue their education,” she shared.
“I hold a steadfast vision for myself. I aim to be a pillar of strength for my father, embodying support not constrained by gender roles. Passion fuels our energy, and without energy, our endeavors falter,” she said.
Tawheeda exhibited a natural inclination towards handicrafts from an early age ,which soon became her passion. Beyond sewing, she delved into various crafts such as embroidery, knitting, aari work, and mehndi designing, honing her skills in each domain.
At the age of 14, she embarked on her journey of learning crafts while simultaneously pursuing her studies. Tawheeda’s aspiration was to attain self-employment and financial independence, serving as a testament to her determination. The obstacles she faced only served to fuel her motivation further.
In 2014, Tawheeda participated in a competition hosted by Zainabia Institute in Maisuma, Srinagar. Her exceptional skills earned her the first-place position, and as a reward, she was presented with a sewing machine.
“This marked a pivotal moment in my journey. The sewing machine presented me with a chance to establish a small boutique right at home. It pushed me to think creatively and find innovative solutions to challenges, ultimately reshaping the course of my life,” she recounted.
Commencing with a single sewing machine, she transformed her boutique into an ITI center. Her initial motivation was simply to secure her own livelihood.
However, her aspirations expanded to empowering women, leading her to establish the Shining Star Boutique training center. In due course, she procured four pre-owned sewing machines, catering to the needs of students. She wanted to empower women.
She said 30 trainers trained at the centre have turned into budding entrepreneurs and were recently awarded by Principal Secretary Department of Skill Development Government of J&K. 30 aspiring entrepreneurs have set up their ventures in different parts of Kashmir.
At the centre, she empowered several unskilled women. She has so far trained 1200 girls in sewing free of cost. “Most of them are running their boutiques,” she said.
Tawheeda’s impact extends beyond just women; she has also trained approximately 300 young men who now sustain themselves through their acquired skills.
“The journey has been extensive and filled with challenges. Today, I can confidently claim success as an entrepreneur. I continuously enhance my skills to effectively tackle the ongoing challenges,” she expressed.
Tawheeda’s boutique stands as a flourishing enterprise, offering employment opportunities to 12 women. Additionally, she operates the Shining Star Society, an NGO that offers complimentary training to women in need. Through her multifaceted efforts, she has contributed significantly to uplifting the prospects of women in her community.
In 2021, Tawheeda’s NGO, alongside her dedicated team, took the initiative to sew suits for the victims of a fire incident in Parimpora. The disaster had ravaged 60 homes, impacting over a hundred families.
“I hold a policy of not charging impoverished individuals or orphans. Lately, I organized a three-month complimentary fashion designing course for 80 young girls, and a one-year ITI course for 15 girls and three boys,” she said.
Tawheeda draws her inspiration from her maternal uncle, a constant source of encouragement who consistently bolstered her confidence and stood by her during crucial times.
“I consistently emphasize upon my students that acquiring a skill not only leads to employment but also enhances self-assurance, ultimately fostering a more comfortable and improved quality of life,” she said.
On a different note, within her training center, Tawheeda has successfully trained two young women with hearing and speech impairments in sewing and cutting techniques. These individuals have since become self-sufficient by earning their own livelihoods.
“Continued efforts are dedicated to offering free training sessions and guiding these aspiring individuals, opening doors to fresh possibilities,” she said.
Enabling and investing in rural women plays an integral role in realizing the vision outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals. These goals strive to eradicate poverty and hunger, safeguard the environment, enhance healthcare indicators, and empower women across the globe.
Tawheeda’s engagement extends to social media platforms, where she maintains an active presence by sharing videos pertaining to sewing and cutting training. This approach allows her to reach out to women who might not have direct access to her training center.
“I promote many classes on the YouTube channel where students learn at their home and contact me for further details. Rightly working and training takes place at two centres one at my own building and other works in a rented building,” she said.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, as everyone was confined at home, she distributed face masks in the area and also prepared Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits.
“I had ITI reserved cotton which helped in making face masks and PPE kits at my centre. I motivated students to come out from their homes by maintaining social distance,” she said.
The enterprising young woman expressed her commitment to fostering employment avenues for jobless youth and expanding work opportunities in various sectors.
In a noteworthy achievement, Tawheeda was recognized on International Women’s Day in Srinagar this year (2023). The Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir honored her for her outstanding contributions.
On March 07, 2022, she received the women entrepreneur trophy from the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Narayan Tatu Rane.
Tawheeda was also felicitated on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2021 by LG Manoj Sinha in presence of Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang K. Pole.
During Covid-19, she received an appreciation award at a function at Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC).
Tawheeda has also received the Emerging Women Entrepreneur award in New Delhi on the occasion of this years’ International Women’s Day.
