Opinion | The Inspiring Story of Mulgi Begum

An inspiring story for young educated girls and a way forward. “People think government jobs are the ultimate achievement, but how much do they actually earn? Farmers like us earn daily, we work at our ease and live with dignity.”

Defining Independence through Agriculture: Arampora is an area located in the bustling town of Sopore, where the largest fruit mandi in Kashmir blooms. Amid serene farmlands and simple homes, an extraordinary story unfolds—the story of Mulgi Begum, 60, who has turned her life into an inspiring tale of hard work, independence, and resilience. She has shown with sheer dedication that no one could stop agriculture through unwavering enthusiasm, proving that neither age nor gender can limit potential. Mulgi Begum’s life centers around the 10 Kanals of fertile land that she cultivates with her family. She is not one of those many who believe farm work to be a dull or unrewarding job. Her fields are alive with colorful vegetables, including tomatoes, eggplants, radishes, carrots, spinach, and coriander. These are not cropping alone; they are freedom and the refusal to be an impediment for anyone at any age. It’s better to do fruitful work than waste time talking through someone else,” she says, her eyes reflecting a deep sense of fulfilment. For Mulgi, farming is much more than just something that brings in the money; it is a way of life and a means to inspire others.
A Family United by Agriculture for Mulgi, farming is not an individual effort. It involves every member of the family, including the men in her household. They sow seeds, care for the plants, and harvest their fruits. They also operate a shop selling seeds and plants produced on their own farm. This self-sustaining approach ensures that nothing goes to waste, and all available resources are utilized to the maximum. His son, who also shares the same passion for agriculture, proudly explains how their family continues with ancestral techniques in farming. “Agriculture requires experience, and we have inherited this knowledge from our forefathers,” he says. While they mainly sell their produce at Sopore vegetable mandi, which is famous for its busy trade, he feels there is a grave need for an exclusive vegetable mandi to cater better to local farmers. Their efforts pay rich dividends. In the current year alone, they sold two truckloads of capsicum, getting ₹20,000 per truck from one truckload and a staggering ₹80,000 from the other. They also grow two kinds of onions: the native Kashmiri variety and the hybrid red onion. The latter, imported from Nasik, is a high-value crop, for it costs ₹20,000 per kilogram as seeds. These onions are kept in a cold place; consequently, they keep for as long as nine months. Their annual earnings exceed ₹13-14 lakh, a figure that not only challenges but also surpasses the income of many government employees. Mulgi points out, “People think government jobs are the ultimate achievement, but how much do they actually earn? Farmers like us earn daily, we work at our ease and live with dignity.”
Breaking Stereotypes thus, this is the story of Mulgi, a vibrant, bold counter-narrative to the social norms, which speaks for itself and has hailed the government job as the only respectful mode of employment. Here, she bashes the modern mind, saying, “Everyone complains about unemployment, yet most families have 1-2 kanals of land. They don’t see it as an asset or a source of income. Instead, they look down upon farming, thinking it’s beneath them.” She is especially disappointed that the new generation is not interested in agriculture. “Young people do not have endurance and are afraid of hard work. They are glued to their mobile phones and want easy money,” she says. To her, the true wealth is the land itself, which is capable of making anyone self-sufficient if it is properly utilized. Mulgi also highlights the aspect of health benefits with farming. “Depression, diabetes, and blood pressure—all these ailments can be cured through farming. When you are busy with work, you do not have time to dwell on problems. That’s why we are fit and healthy,” she explains. Her active lifestyle has kept her physically strong and mentally sharp, making her a beacon of hope for those struggling with modern lifestyle diseases.
The role of women in agriculture Mulgi, an example of women of all ages capable of being self-reliant and contributing something productive, at a time when so many women of her age consider themselves dependent upon their families. “Why should I be a liability on my husband or sons when I can work and earn for myself?” she asks rhetorically. Her story tells of financial independence, yes, but also it is a testament to how stereotypes can be broken. She feels that the best thing about this is that they can all be independent—education background notwithstanding. “Farming is not just for men. If women start using the land they have, they can become self-reliant and even create employment for others,” she says.
A Vision for the Future Despite her successes, Mulgi and her family face challenges. The lack of a dedicated vegetable mandi in Sopore limits their opportunities to sell their produce at competitive prices. Additionally, there is a need for greater awareness and encouragement for youth to take up farming as a viable profession. Her son shares the same vision, this time stressing experience in agriculture. “We have learned from our forefathers, and this is very precious to us. It’s not only about cultivating crops; it’s all about knowing how the land should be treated, the seasons, and the market,” he says. Mulgi Begum’s journey is a glorious example of women’s empowerment. She has proven that independence is not tied to a government job or formal education but is about identifying the potential in what one already has and making the best use of it. Her life is a lesson for all the women of all ages: You can change your circumstances in life. With willingness, passion, and dedication, women can free themselves from societal roles to instead become their own inspirations for other people. In celebrating the resilience and determination in women like Mulgi Begum, her message needs to be spread far and wide. Agriculture, instead of being taken as a leftover or financially unprofitable profession, is the key not only to greater financial independence but to healthier, fuller living. The story of Mulgi leaves us with the message that empowerment begins with action. There is more strength in every woman, irrespective of her age and education, to shape her own destiny. She need only find the courage to take that step and hold on to ensure things keep moving. Mulgi Begum is not only a farmer but also an inspiration and a testament to the power of persistence. Let her story motivate us to reassess our priorities and appreciate hard work, dignity, and independence in a new light.
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