Tawheeda Akhtar’s journey begins in the modest lanes of Lav Pura, Gund Husi Bhat area of Srinagar, Kashmir, where financial constraints shaped her destiny. Being the first child in a family that was contending with poverty, she saw how her father, a daily wage labourer, struggled successively to make ends meet. This brutality served as fuel for her ambition to leave a lasting legacy. All that Tawheeda needed was a sewing machine and a focused vision to transform her life, as well as the lives of many other women in her community.
Her inspiration stems from a profound understanding of the struggles faced by women in rural Kashmir. Personally exposed to the issue of juggling education and the need to earn money, she became aware of the need to provide women with opportunities for skills enhancement. Today, she continues to empower women through her Shining Star Boutique by imparting practical skills that require no financial investment to utilize, enabling them to achieve economic independence. She does not confine herself to just training, but instead wants to build a sustainable ecosystem where women can thrive economically and yet maintain their cultural identity and traditional craftsmanship.
The Foundation of Tawheeda Akhtar Mission
Tawheeda’s inspiration draws from her transformation from a struggling student to a successful entrepreneur. She learned to knit and make sweaters during her eighth-grade year, which gave her her first shot at financial independence. This experience sparked her interest in handicraft work and revealed the possibilities that traditional skills offer in today’s economic situations. She systematically learned Sozni work, Kani work, and Qureshi work, each skill adding to her expertise while supporting her family’s needs.
Her school life, as well as the acquisition of skills, has taught her the importance of multitasking and effective time management. She felt that there were numerous untapped talents among women in her community, and this realization prompted her to find ways to give them opportunities to express themselves. This is what dawned on her and became the foundation stone of her mission, which was to empower women to become financially independent by offering free, high-quality training. Her approach combines traditional Kashmiri craftsmanship with contemporary market demands, ensuring that trained women can compete effectively in today’s economy.
Tawheeda Akhtar: Building a Community of Empowered Women
The transformation of Shining Star Boutique from a simple tailoring shop to a comprehensive training center reflects Tawheeda’s evolving vision. She understood that individual success becomes essential only when it can contribute to community upliftment. Her book and learning facility have already educated more than 1,200 girls, and today, many of them are managing their businesses and providing for their families with their income. Her confidence in empowering women, thus forming a ripple effect that serves the entire community, is evident in this success.
She is also inspired by the confidence that her trainees have. Women who felt embarrassed about crossing their homes have started running their businesses with a highly confident demeanor. It offers free courses in tailoring, cutting, mehndi, fashion designing, Sozni embroidery, and calligraphy art. This multifaceted selection would help women choose skills that are in their interest and have market potential. Her trainees’ success stories keep her motivated and validate her mission.
Tawheeda Akhtar: Vision of the Future and Sustainable Impact
Tawheeda’s inspiration extends beyond immediate skill training to creating a sustainable model for women’s empowerment. Her admission to the Directorate of Technical Education in 2018 demonstrates that she believes in providing certified training to increase her employability. She sees her model being developed in other parts of the world, establishing a chain of talented women business owners who will be able to make significant contributions to their local economy and, at the same time, continue the traditional craftsmanship.
She is also planning to establish additional training facilities in Kashmir and introduce new courses that align with current market trends.She believes that women’s economic empowerment is crucial for social development and continues working towards creating an ecosystem where skilled women can access markets, credit facilities, and business mentorship. The recognition she has received, including the Women’s Business Trophy from the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, motivates her to scale her impact further and inspire more women to pursue entrepreneurship through skill development.
Also Read: Masrat Jan: The Woman Keeping Kashmir’s Papier Mache Alive
You can connect with DNN24 on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
