Anantnag, Dec 03 Defying societal expectations and their physical challenges, a specially-abled couple from south Kashmir’s Anantnag district has skillfully nurtured a thriving mushroom cultivation unit under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) scheme.
With the support of the agriculture department, Mehroka Jan and her husband Muzafar Ahmad who have physical disabilities affecting their legs have turned their challenges into strength to earn a dignified livelihood through their home-based mushroom unit.
Recalling her struggle, Mehroka told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that her family used to be dependent on her husband.
“My husband is also specially-abled. My father-in-law has only one kidney and my mother-in-law also remains unwell. So the only earning member in the family was my husband who too wasn’t able to work properly. We would often worry about how to run the household,” she said.
She said the turning point came after participating in an agriculture-related event. “I enrolled in the HADP scheme under which I was given 90 mushroom bags. I set up the unit at home and by the grace of God, it has helped us stand on our feet,” she added.
Speaking about unemployment, Mehroka advised youth to broaden their perspective. “Government jobs are not easy to get. If you do not find a government job, you can work in the private sector or set up a small scale unit. Visit departments, explore schemes and make use of them. You can earn with dignity.”
Her husband, Muzafar, urged young people to remain focused and avoid distractions. “When people sit idle, negative thoughts take over. Many youngsters in Kashmir are getting distracted. I request them to leave such things behind. Your real world is your home, your parents, your family,” he said.
Muzafar appealed to the youth to shun the wrong path. “Choose any field you like, work hard and earn your livelihood. That is the right direction.”
