Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Mar 1: After years of struggling to secure government jobs, a couple from Awantipora in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district has turned to the flower business to earn their livelihood.
Ishfaq Ahmad and his wife Sabiya Mushtaq, both postgraduates, have rented a piece of land in Pulwama town, where they sell a variety of flowers.
Sabiya narrated how she and her husband faced numerous challenges in finding government employment. Eventually, they decided to start a business that is both environmentally friendly and financially sustainable.
“Last year, we decided to start a small-scale flower business. Initially, my family was not supportive, but after seeing the potential, they too encouraged us,” she said.
The couple has rented land in Pulwama, where they now sell around 200 varieties of flowers and have established a stable source of income. “My husband has been very supportive. Though it was my idea, he invested in it wholeheartedly, and now we are earning well,” Sabiya said.
She said their decision to enter the flower business was driven by their passion for nature. “We always wanted to start something that benefits the environment. Planting more trees is essential for clean air and pure oxygen,” she added.
The couple sources their flower stock from Pune and Chennai and plans to expand their business further.
Both Ishfaq and Sabiya believe that youth should not solely depend on government jobs. “The unemployment rate is very high. Young people should not just wait for government jobs but instead, take the initiative in any field they are passionate about. By doing so, they won’t just create employment for themselves but for others as well,” they said.
