Pulwama, Jun 26 (KNO): In a compelling story of empowerment and self-reliance, Sajida Akhter, a 45-year-old resident of Arigam village in Tral, Pulwama, has become a beacon of hope for women in her area by successfully running a boutique and a polyhouse business with the support of the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM).
Sajida’s journey towards entrepreneurship began when a team from NRLM visited her village in 2017 and informed the local women about various schemes and opportunities offered under the mission.
Inspired by the scheme, she decided to join the initiative and soon took her first steps towards economic independence.
“After the NRLM team came and told us about the schemes and programmes, I decided to be part of it. I started a boutique and also set up a polyhouse in our own village,” Sajida told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
What began as a small venture has now blossomed into a sustainable source of income. Sajida not only took training and started working herself, but also played a pivotal role in creating awareness among other women in the village about the benefits of joining Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under NRLM.
“Initially, I started working alone in the boutique, but after some time, many women joined us. Some are now working with me, and others have established their own setups and are working independently,” she added.
Today, Sajida earns a decent livelihood through her boutique and polyhouse and continues to motivate others to step into entrepreneurship.
She believes that NRLM is a powerful platform, especially for women—whether educated or illiterate—to break barriers and achieve financial independence.
“Women shouldn’t rely solely on government jobs. They should take the initiative, start something of their own and earn a livelihood. NRLM has provided us with that opportunity,” Sajida added—(KNO)