Women Leading the Way in Empowering Kunan Poshpora

The women of Kunan Poshpora, located in the Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, have emerged as incredible examples of strength, independence, and resilience. Each of these remarkable individuals has faced numerous challenges, exhibited unwavering dedication, and made significant contributions in their respective fields. Their achievements not only inspire women and girls in their communities but also serve as a beacon of hope for the entire valley. Here, we present a glimpse into the remarkable lives and stories of these inspiring women.

Kunan Poshpora, a village in the region, has witnessed the rise of remarkable women who have taken the lead in empowering and developing their community. These women have become role models, demonstrating strength, confidence, and independence.
In Smart Village Kunan Poshpora, Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir, women  are leading the village on all fronts. The women of the village actively participate in various activities aimed at uplifting the village and engaging young girls and women in its development. While the village of Poshpora gained attention in recent years due to the implementation of various women-related skill development programs by the Indian Army, the current situation in the village is entirely different. The women of the village have taken the lead and are spearheading its development and welfare.
Jameela Begum, a dynamic local artisan and a sociology graduate with a diploma in fashion designing, runs a tailoring centre in her home. Here, she not only trains young girls from the village but also introduces new clothing and suiting styles. One of her notable initiatives is flag stitching, which aims to promote patriotism and nationalism in the village. Inspired by Jameela Begum’s spirit, her trainees began making national flags. As news of their work spread, the centre received immense recognition from both the Army and the civil administration. This idea, being the first of its kind in the valley, instilled a sense of nationalism among the women in the village, and Mrs. Jameela Begum became a symbol of both nationalism and women’s empowerment.
Jameela has become an inspiration for others in the backward district of Kupwara in Jammu and Kashmir by engaging and employing new trends and training for the girls and women in the area. While implementing these new schemes for the young ladies of the underdeveloped village, she faced criticism. However, the brave lady confronted all the odds and continued her struggle for women’s empowerment and their rights. She brought conservation into preservation, preserving traditional crafts and empowering women simultaneously. Currently, she is providing training to more than 50 girls and has already trained over 400 girls.
Jameela was awarded a commendation card by the Northern Commander and has received numerous recognitions and acknowledgments in the field of women’s empowerment. She is also known as the “Flag Women of Kupwara” for stitching and distributing more than 8000 flags to the army and civil administration. She even had the opportunity to meet the Honorable Prime Minister, who appreciated her tireless efforts for the women in the remote district.
Most importantly, the flags produced by the centre were presented to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant Governor of J&K, as well as other dignitaries. These flags, along with the “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” and “Har Ghar Tiranga” campaigns, are supplied to Army establishments, government offices, schools, and colleges. The “Made in Kashmir” National Flags initiative received praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself during his “Mann Ki Baat” program on All India Radio. In recognition of her outstanding contribution, Mrs. Jameela Begum was honored with the GOC-in-C Northern Command Commendation Card on August 12, 2022. She was also invited to the “At Home Ceremony” at Army House in New Delhi on the occasion of “Vijay Diwas” on December 15, 2022, where she had the opportunity to meet the Prime Minister.
The women who take the lead in developing and empowering women in Kunan Poshpora are truly remarkable. One of these inspiring women is Shabnum Begum, a local artisan from Mussoorie who is married in Poshpora Village. Despite having a higher secondary education, she has acquired professional stitching skills through a course in Mussoorie and is now a qualified stitching instructor. Shabnum is known for her self-belief and dedication to helping needy women through social work and NGOs. She serves as an exemplary figure of strength, confidence, and independence.
Another remarkable woman is Miss Ulfat, a skilled artisan with a certified diploma in handicraft from a regional institute. At just 19 years old, she has already made a name for herself among the local population. As a handicraft instructor, she has successfully trained young women in the art of weaving Kashmiri carpets and clothes. Ulfat is a determined and passionate worker who firmly believes in the motto “Fortune Favors the Brave.”
Maryam, a sincere and hardworking handicraft worker, learned traditional creweling and embroidery skills at the age of 17. She is a quick learner who now heads a Crewel Skill Center in Kunan, where she teaches 30 other women under the Krishi Sekhi Scheme of the Social Welfare Department. Maryam specializes in handmade cushion covers, bed sheets, curtains, and even national flags with crewel work. She is fulfilling the hopes of many young women in Kunan Trehgam by providing them with much-needed guidance. Maryam has also gained fame for herself and the center by making 2000 national flags, featuring beautiful hand embroidery of the Ashok Chakra, during the “Har Ghar Tiranga” Campaign. Her go-getter attitude and never-give-up attitude have made her a role model for many young girls in Trehgam.
In addition to these women, there are several other achievers who have made significant contributions in their respective fields. Naseema Bano, a cutting and tailoring expert from Dardpora, has used her experience and support from the Army to empower local women by providing stitching training. Najma Khan, a hardworking creweling expert from Kawari, has stitched and sold over 1500 national flags, inspiring and employing more than 800 trainees in the field of creweling. Nazira Jan, a cutting and tailoring specialist from Glassdaji, has established a Skill Center and taught around 300 girls, enabling them to run small boutiques from their homes.
Shahnaza Begum Barkat Bristo, from Patahiri, has successfully run a bakery called Barkat Bristo despite receiving a special family pension. Her indomitable spirit and hard work have earned her recognition in the entire district. Nazima Jan, a project coordinator and trainer in retail associate training in Kupwara, has played a crucial role in mobilization and creating employment opportunities for trainees. Kulsooma Bano, a project coordinator in hospitality training in Kupwara, has effectively mobilized motivated youth to join the workshops, inspiring them to pursue careers in the hospitality industry.
These are just a few examples of the incredible women achievers in Kunan Poshpora and Trehgam. Each of them has overcome challenges, exhibited dedication, and made significant contributions in their respective fields. Their achievements serve as an inspiration for women and girls in their communities, motivating them to pursue their dreams and break barriers.

– The author can be reached at vadaiekashmir@gmail.com