Paving the Way for Female Entrepreneurs and Breadwinners
By Saika Rashid
Dreams do come true! When one has the determination to succeed, even the toughest paths can lead to extraordinary destinations.
A decade ago, few could have imagined a women-led revolution taking root in Sopore a town where stepping forward as a woman was once an immense challenge.
Today, women in Sopore are leading in politics, bureaucracy, education, and entrepreneurship, proving that they are more than capable of achieving greatness and representing their homeland at national and international levels.
Every day, women in the Sopore constituency write new success stories and much of this progress owes its momentum to Masrat Rasool Kar, daughter of the late senior Congress leader Ghulam Rasool Kar.
She is the visionary behind this transformation: the pioneer, the leader, the relentless force whose unwavering efforts have reshaped the landscape.
A former Municipal Council President, Masrat Rasool Kar has crafted her own success story in Sopore a town where women once struggled to break free from the constraints of a male-dominated society.
Through sheer dedication and perseverance, she has dismantled barriers, earning her the title of Sopore s Iron Lady.
In 2015, Masrat began her political career with the People's Democratic Party (PDP), where she was appointed as the State Secretary for the party's Women s Wing in Kashmir within just a month.
Later, she also served as a member of the Khadi and Village Board for two years.
However, in 2019, the brother-sister duo left the PDP and joined the National Conference (NC), where they have remained under the leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah ever since.
As a candidate for the National Conference, Masrat Rasool Kar contested the first-ever Urban Local Body elections in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Not only did she win her seat, but she was also elected as Chairperson.
Her new beginnings have reached remarkable heights in Sopore, a transformation that is evident to the public.
The town has witnessed and continues to experience significant development, a changing social landscape, and an evolving mindset.
The surge in women s participation in mainstream society and business marks a revolutionary shift for Sopore.
Women are breaking barriers, and more and more girls from the town are now being seen at national and international levels, representing Sopore in various sectors.
Thanks to Masrat Kar for empowering women to step into a realm that has been overshadowed for decades.
For girls in Sopore, stepping forward to participate in any event or sport has always been a challenging endeavor.
Many families were reluctant to accept the idea of their daughters participating in public forums, and obstacles often accompanied the dreams and passions of these girls. However, in recent years, the situation has changed significantly, and the efforts of Masrat Rasool Kar have opened new opportunities for women.
Whether in sports, education, politics, or entrepreneurship, Masrat's efforts are yielding positive results, and the numbers continue to grow.
However, this success story was not achieved without enduring hell-like situations, hurdles, and challenges.
During her tenure, Masrat's leadership of the Sopore Municipal Council came at a heavy cost when militants attacked a meeting on March 29, 2021, killing two councilors Reyaz Ahmad and Shamas Ud Din Peer as well as her PSO at the time, Shafat Nazir Khan.
Though the attack shattered Masrat emotionally, she refused to give up. Instead, she rose to face every challenge, leaving no stone unturned in her mission to script a success story for Sopore.
From a place of fear, she has now fostered a peaceful mindset, reaching the pinnacle of resilience. Her journey has boosted the morale of women in the town, inspiring them to stand strong.
Not only this, but at the administrative level, she also succeeded in removing Sopore s once-infamous "red zone" tag.
It was through her relentless efforts that Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha visited Sopore for the first time an unprecedented high-profile visit.
Since then, such visits have become unstoppable. Where once even Deputy Commissioners (DCs) hesitated to enter the town, history has been rewritten.
Now, there is hardly a month when DCs do not visit Sopore.
Her new beginnings have reached remarkable heights in Sopore, a transformation that is evident to the public.
Most notably, the surge in women s participation in mainstream society and business stands as a revolutionary shift for Sopore.
What began as her solitary mission has now become an unstoppable movement.
More women are joining the workforce, making strides in diverse fields, and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with men in business a domain once entirely dominated by them.
In yet another milestone, Sopore has welcomed its first women-led bakery outlet, giving the town yet another reason to celebrate. Women here are no longer left behind; they are breaking ceilings, forging new paths, and inspiring generations to come.
Her new beginnings have reached remarkable heights in Sopore, a transformation that is evident to the public.
However, this success story was not achieved without enduring hell-like situations, hurdles, and challenges.
During her tenure, Masrat s leadership of the Sopore Municipal Council came at a heavy cost when militants attacked a meeting on March 29, 2021, killing two councilors Reyaz Ahmad and Shamas Ud Din Peer as well as her PSO at the time, Shafat Nazir Khan.
Though the attack shattered Masrat emotionally, she refused to give up. Instead, she rose to face every challenge, leaving no stone unturned in her mission to script a success story for Sopore.
From a place of fear, she has now fostered a peaceful mindset, reaching the pinnacle of resilience. Her journey has boosted the morale of women in the town, inspiring them to stand strong.
Not only this, but at the administrative level, she also succeeded in removing Sopore s once-infamous red zone tag.
It was through her relentless efforts that Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha visited Sopore for the first time an unprecedented high-profile visit.
Since then, such visits have become unstoppable. Where once even Deputy Commissioners (DCs) hesitated to enter the town, history has been rewritten.
Now, there is hardly a month when DCs do not visit Sopore.
What began as her solitary mission has now become an unstoppable movement.
More women are joining the workforce, making strides in diverse fields, and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with men in business a domain once entirely dominated by them.
In yet another milestone, Sopore has welcomed its first women-led bakery outlet, giving the town yet another reason to celebrate. Women here are no longer left behind; they are breaking ceilings, forging new paths, and inspiring generations to come.
The author is currently pursuing a PhD in Politics and International Relations.
New Delhi, May 12: A massive protest organised by the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) broke out near the Shastri Bhawan on Tuesday, against the alleged paper leak in NEET-UG this year. The exam was held on May 3, following which allegations of paper leak surfaced, triggering investigations by the Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) and central agencies. Earlier, the National Testing Agency (NTA) announced the cancellation of NEET-UG 2026, and said the examination will be re-conducted on dates to be notified separately. In a statement, the NTA said the decision was taken with the approval of the Government of India in the interest of maintaining transparency and preserving trust in the national examination system.
Srinagar, Feb 12: Jammu and Kashmir recorded over 15.48 lakh traffic violation cases in 2025, with authorities collecting more than Rs 34.17 crore as penalty under the Motor Vehicles Act, the Centre informed Parliament on Thursday. The information was shared in the Lok Sabha in response to a question raised by MP Janardan Singh Sigriwal. According to the official data, 15,48,525 challans were issued across the Union Territory in 2025, while the penalty amount recovered stood at Rs 34,17,36,740. The figures further show that in 2024, a total of 15,44,105 violations were registered with a penalty collection of around Rs 43.40 crore, while in 2023, 12,38,584 challans were issued and Rs 34.56 crore was collected. For the current year, till February 8, 2026, Jammu and Kashmir has recorded 1,63,531 traffic violation cases, with revenue collection of about Rs 2.11 crore. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways stated that stricter penalties under the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 are aimed at ensuring better compliance and deterrence. It also said that traffic enforcement falls under the jurisdiction of States and Union Territories. The government has issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for electronic monitoring and is promoting technology-driven enforcement through Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras integrated with the VAHAN database. Awareness campaigns under the Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan are also being carried out to improve road safety.
New Delhi, Jan 25: The Dental Council of India (DCI) has directed all universities and dental colleges across the country to strictly ensure a minimum of 80 percent biometric attendance for Post Graduate students before allowing them to appear in examinations. The decision has been taken to curb absenteeism among postgraduate dental students. According to a circular issued by the Dental Council of India-a statutory body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, the decision has been taken after multiple complaints were received from dental colleges in Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh regarding non-attendance of PG students. "The matter was examined by the Grievance Sub-Committee of the DCI in its meeting held on November 24, 2025," the circular reads. It reads that after detailed discussion and deliberation, the committee recommended that all universities and dental colleges must ensure compliance with Regulation 18(a)(i) of the DCI Master of Dental Surgery Course Regulations, 2017, which mandates at least 80 per cent attendance. "The recommendation of the Grievance Sub-Committee has been approved by the Executive Committee of the Dental Council of India through circulation and has now been formally communicated for information and necessary action," the circular reads. As per the circular, all the universities and dental colleges have been directed to ensure minimum 80 per cent biometric attendance of all PG students before permitting them to appear in examinations. The order, issued by Deputy Secretary Dental Council of India Mukesh Kumar, is expected to be implemented with immediate effect across the country.
Srinagar, March 6: Around 17 candidates from Jammu and Kashmir have qualified the Civil Services Examination (CSE)-2025, the result for which was declared by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Friday. The commission recommended a total of 958 candidates for appointment to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and various central services. Anuj Agnihotri, an MBBS graduate, has topped the civil services examination 2025, while Rajeshwari Suve M and Akansh Dhull have got the second and third ranks respectively. According to the official list released by the UPSC the 17 candidates from J&K who have figured in the final merit list include Suvan Sharma (Rank 148), Sugandha Gupta (207), Towseef Ganie (Rank 254), Ritika (Rank 456), Sooyash Shivam (Rank 572), Muneeb Parrah (Rank 581), Ghulam Din (Rank 683), Dwarka Gaadhi (Rank 721), Akash (Rank 747), Koh E Safa (Rank 763), Yasaar (Rank 811), Abhishek (Rank 820), Pankaj (Rank 856), Mohammad Ajaz (Rank 869), Azhar (Rank 886), Sarfraz (Rank 936), and Irfan (Rank 957). The results were declared after conducting the written examination in August 2025 followed by the personality tests (interviews) conducted between December 2025 and February 2026. As per the result notification issue by the UPSC, a total of 958 candidates have been recommended for appointment against 1087 vacancies reported by the government for the examination cycle. These include 180 vacancies in the IAS, 55 in the IFS, 150 in the IPS, 507 in Central Services Group A and 195 in Group B services. Of the total recommended candidates, 317 are from the general category, 104 from the economically weaker sections, 306 from other backward classes, 158 from scheduled castes and 73 from scheduled tribes. A consolidated reserve list of 258 candidates has also been published in accordance with the rules. The claims of recommended candidates regarding reservation categories will be subject to verification by the concerned authorities. The UPSC has stated that the candidature of 348 recommended candidates has been kept provisional, while the result of the two candidates has been kept withheld. The CSE is conducted annually in three stages- preliminary, Mains and interview by the UPSC to select officers of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) among others. The civil services (preliminary) examination 2025 was conducted on May 25 of 2025. A total of 937876 candidates applied for this examination, out of which 5,76,793 actually appeared in the test. A total of 14,161 candidates qualified for appearance in the written (Main) examination which was held in August, 2025. Of these, 2736 candidates had qualified for the personality test (interview) of the examination. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the candidates who qualified the UPSC exam. "Congratulations to all those who have successfully cleared the Civil Services Examination, 2025. Their dedication, perseverance and hard work have led to this significant milestone. Wishing them the very best as they embark on a journey of serving the nation and fulfilling the aspirations of the people," PM Modi wrote on his official X handle. "To those who may not have secured the desired outcome in the Civil Services Examination, I understand that such moments can be difficult. However, this is only one step in a larger journey. Many opportunities lie ahead, both in future examinations and in the many avenues through which you can contribute to our nation. My best wishes for the road ahead," his post on X reads. UPSC chairman Ajay Kumar announced the declaration of the result and congratulated the candidates who qualified the exam. "Congrats to all successful candidates as you begin a career of service to the nation. For those who did not make it-the learning from this journey will guide you in the paths ahead," UPSC Chairman wrote in a post on X. Among the 17 candidates from J&K who qualified UPSC exam inlcude a visually impaired candidate Irfan Ahmad Lone, a resident of Manzpora in the Naidkhai area of Bandipora.
Srinagar, Jan 8: Contractual faculty members working in government degree colleges of Jammu and Kashmir Higher Education Department (HED) have expressed strong resentment over what they term as a glaring disparity in salaries, demanding revision of their pay in line with University Grants Commission (UGC) norms and regularisation of their services. The faculty, many of whom hold PhDs and are qualified through NET, SET and JRF, said they have been denied UGC-recommended pay scales despite discharging academic responsibilities equivalent to their regular counterparts. “Hundreds of highly qualified scholars have been pushed into silent suffering. For years, we have been assured that our pay revision is under consideration, but nothing has materialised so far,” said Dr Ishfaq Gowhar, a contractual faculty member. Earlier, Director Colleges J&K had acknowledged the legitimacy of the faculty’s demand, stating that while the issue was genuine, its implementation involved significant financial implications due to the large number of contractual appointments. “We are aware that they deserve salary enhancement, but the number of contractual faculty is huge and it has financial implications,” he earlier said. Dr Gowhar pointed out that contractual lecturers, who form the backbone of the higher education system, continue to work on a fixed monthly honorarium of Rs 28,000, which has remained unchanged for nearly a decade. “The irony is that a Class IV employee with a Class 10 qualification draws a salary exceeding Rs 50,000, while doctorate-holding teachers engaged in teaching, mentoring and academic research are paid a fraction of that,” he said. He added that institutions such as SKUAST-K, University of Kashmir and Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) have implemented revised UGC pay scales, but the Higher Education Department has failed to extend similar treatment to its contractual faculty. Dr Gowhar said the demand for “equal work, equal pay” gets prominently featured in election campaigns, raising hopes among contractual teachers. “Promises were made and slogans echoed during elections, but once the process ended, our voices were reduced to silence. Even meeting officials now feels impossible,” he said. He said contractual faculty were not seeking privileges but dignity, fairness and recognition for their service. The faculty appealed to the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Education Minister to intervene and take concrete steps towards addressing their long-pending demands. “This issue is not merely about salaries. It is about survival, justice and dignity in the classrooms of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Bandipora, Jul 8: Entrepreneur Jibran Khan, founder of the Zero Miles restaurant chain, on Wednesday shared his inspirational journey from menial jobs to building a successful enterprise, urging youngsters to embrace entrepreneurship and create employment opportunities for others. The interactive session, titled 'Nun Chai Talks', was organised by the District Administration Bandipora at the Waqar Knowledge Centre and witnessed enthusiastic participation from students of HKM Degree College Bandipora, HSS Mantrigam, and youth from across the district. Khan, who started with a single outlet in Sopore in 2017 and now operates six franchise locations across North Kashmir employing 60 people, candidly spoke about his early struggles, including washing dishes and doing odd jobs. "I ran from pillar to post in search of a job and I don't want young ones to suffer like that," Khan said, explaining his motivation to create employment avenues. After completing his Class 12 in tourism, Khan worked with multinational companies in Chandigarh and Dubai before returning to Kashmir to pursue his passion. He urged aspiring entrepreneurs to remain innovative, embrace challenges confidently, and leverage government schemes supporting self-employment. Assistant Commissioner Development (ACD) Bandipora, Dr Suhaib Wani, encouraged participants to sharpen their skills and utilise government initiatives promoting innovation and sustainable livelihoods. Dr Zulfi, a resource person from Waqar Knowledge Centre, briefed attendees about mentorship programmes, skill development initiatives, and financial assistance available for young entrepreneurs. Students raised queries on business planning, overcoming initial hurdles, accessing financial support, and identifying market opportunities, with speakers responding through practical suggestions and real-life experiences. BDO Aloosa and Nodal Officer, Waqar Knowledge Centre, Ulfat Ali, thanked Khan for his inspiring address and reaffirmed the administration's commitment to organising more such sessions for Bandipora's youth. (KNS)
Srinagar, June 25: Jammu Kashmir Teachers Forum (JKTF) on Thursday condoled the demise of JKAS officer Romeen Ahmad Sheikh. In a statement issued here, Provincial President JKTF Javaid Ahmad Bhat expressed grief and sorrow over the shocking demise of Romeen Ahmad Sheikh a young JKAS officer who was currently serving as Joint Director Handloom department. The deceased was the brother in law of SDPO Kreeri Aeshal Nisar. Bhat remembered the deceased as a noble soul with a human heart. "Demise of Romeen Sheikh is a personal loss to me and the whole teaching fraternity across JK UT. People of Kreeri stand with the bereaved family particularly Aeshal Nisar at this hour of grief," Bhat in a statement said. Bhai also prayed for the eternal peace to the departed soul and patience to bereaved family to Bear this irreparable loss.
Baramulla, June 15: The Gulmarg Battalion of Indian Army and Sheep Husbandry department Baramulla on Monday organised animal health and awareness camp at Bhutapathri, Gulmarg. The camp was a part of the outreach initiative aimed at supporting livestock-rearing communities in the highland areas. The camp primarily focused on serving tribal communities and Chopans engaged in livestock rearing in the upper reaches and seasonal grazing areas. As per the official handout, the programme was facilitated by 9 Raj Rifles, whose support and coordination played a vital role in the successful conduct of the camp. A large number of livestock rearers from the surrounding highland areas participated and availed the services provided at the event. During the camp, comprehensive veterinary healthcare services were extended to a wide range of livestock, including sheep, goats, cattle, buffaloes, and equines. The veterinary team conducted clinical examinations, treatment of sick animals, and preventive healthcare interventions to ensure improved animal health and productivity. Addressing the gathering, Dr. Ishfaq Dhobi, VAS Shrakwara, highlighted the immense potential of livestock rearing as a sustainable livelihood option, particularly for tribal and pastoral communities. He emphasized the importance of adopting scientific animal husbandry practices and informed the participants about opportunities for marketing livestock products as organic produce, thereby enhancing their income and market value. Dr. Dhobi also apprised the participants of various government-sponsored schemes, subsidies, and employment opportunities available in the livestock sector. He encouraged the youth to view livestock farming not merely as a traditional occupation but as a viable and profitable entrepreneurial venture capable of generating sustainable livelihoods. As part of the camp activities, free first-aid kits and deworming medicines were distributed among the beneficiaries under the ATMA scheme, enabling livestock owners to better manage the health of their animals during the grazing season. The participating livestock rearers expressed their gratitude to the Sheep Husbandry Department especially Dr Showkat Ahangar, DSHO Baramulla for extending essential veterinary services to remote highland areas and appreciated the department's commitment towards the welfare of pastoral communities. The Indian Army personnel and local beneficiaries alike lauded the efforts of the department and thanked the authorities for establishing a permanent veterinary camp in the vicinity during the Behak period, which will ensure continuous access to veterinary care and technical support for migratory livestock rearers. "The initiative reflects the shared commitment of the Sheep Husbandry Department and the Indian Army towards improving rural livelihoods, strengthening animal healthcare delivery, and enhancing the socio-economic well-being of tribal and pastoral communities in the region," the handout reads.
