Graduate Labourer turns Entrepreneur

KL NEWS NETWORK

SRINAGAR

A narrow dilapidated road, women washing dishes and clothes while kids having bath simultaneously under the single roadside public faucet.

Welcome to Hari Nara village located on the borderline of north Kashmir’s Baramulla and Bandipora districts. There is no public transport and most of the houses are old fashioned. But one thing that is uncommon in this village is Anwar Hussain’s ‘Khushboo Libbas’- a complete boutique where modern and traditional wear gets a blend.

Anwar started to support his family when he was student in a nearby Government School. “I used to study and work as a labourer at the same time to support my family. I wanted to complete my education at any cost. Later I got admission in Gandhi Memorial College, Srinagar and completed my graduation in arts stream in the year 2009. During college days I used to do type writing in Sadder Court Srinagar to manage the daily expenses,” recalled Anwar.

Anwar Hussain

Anwar continued doing menial jobs till the year 2015 when a friend suggested him to start an entrepreneurial venture in his native village. Initially Anwar opted for a furniture making unit but then decided to start a fashion boutique in Ghadkhud Hari Nara village of Sumbal, Bandipora.

He opted for Seed Capital Fund Scheme (SCFS) of Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) and was trained for three weeks at Pampore campus. After training, a Rs 8.57 lakh project to start ‘Khushboo Libbas’ was approved and Anwar started his boutique in his native place.

In a short span of time, Anwar has been able to provide livelihood to five people including four local girls. “Each girl earns around 7000-9000 rupees a month. Actually it depends on the number of suits she is able to stitch every day. Higher the number of suits stitched, more is the amount they get,” says Anwar. He said Ghadkhud Gamdoo business unit of J&K Bank played a significant role in setting up the venture.

Khushboo Libbas deals in bridal suits, suit length (fabric) for women, dupattas, abhayas, hosiery, jeans and T-shirts, leggings, hijabs (veils), coats, leather jackets, bags, handbags, purses, sunglasses and artificial jewellery. “I cater to the demand of local population. Now they don’t have to visit Baramulla, Pattan, Sumbal or Bandipora for these goods and services. I save their time and money as well,” said Anwar. He feels the demand especially for abhayas and embroidered traditional pherans is quite encouraging.

Khushboo Libbas has not only changed Anwar’s life but the blend of modernity and tradition has given Hari Nara a new identity. (J&K EDI Spokesperson)

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