Here - Start-up Kashmir!

to say that they face “age discrimination” when
trying to get a loan – that their application are
judged by their age and not by the viability of
the proposed business.
Awareness of entrepreneurship in
Kashmir
Another factor that impacts youth perception
of entrepreneurship appears to be the level of
awareness of and familiarity with the concept
of entrepreneurship as a viable career path.
The SKYE Baseline Survey, merely 28% of
all youth surveyed said they have knowledge/
awareness about existing successful entrepreneurs/enterprises
in Kashmir. Kashmiri students
are not aware of this career path and the
experiences of those who have taken it. One
reason appears to be the education system’s
lack of attention to the subject of entrepreneurs
and entrepreneurship. There are a large number
of successful entrepreneurs in Kashmir – unfortunately,
it appears that the majority of youth
are unacquainted with their stories. One youth
we spoke to shared that there is a general lack
of awareness in society about the concept of entrepreneurship:
“There should be counselling of
parents, teachers and religious scholars.”
The stigma of failure
There is social stigma associated with business
failure or failure of other types in Kashmir.
The results of the SKYE Baseline Survey shed
some light on this dimension. Roughly 50% of
all youth surveyed said they viewed “stigma of
failure” as a de-motivator (fear) for entrepreneurship
in Kashmir. It cannot be said that failure
is widely viewed as a learning experience
in Kashmir. One youth interviewed shared that:
“Failure stories about Kashmiri entrepreneurs
are highlighted in such a way that youth are demotivated
to engage in business.”
Social Acceptance of Women
Entrepreneurs and Gender
Discrimination
Entrepreneurship is very limited amongst Kashmiri
women, especially in the formal sector. A
Spotlight on Successful
Entrepreneurs in Kashmir:
Gazalla Amin
Brief Intro
- First generation entrepreneur
- Studied Medicine
- Started business in 2006
- Won First State Award for Progressive Farming
Vision:
“To make farmers understand that their crops
are cash and can be cash.”
Company
Fasiam Agro Farms (Product Company)
Value addition | Essential Oils like Lavender,
Rose, Clary Sage, etc.| Rosewater | Dried Lavender
flowers
Agro- Con Consultancy (Service Company)
Consultancy for preparation for DPR in agriculture,
horticulture sector including MAPS |
Hand-holding of farmers by way of introducing
high value and high density plantation of various
crops until the land of farmers becomes
profitable | Taking up of projects for eco-parks
especially those related to MAPS
Performance
Turnover of around 30 lakh Rupees (US$
70,000)
Employees
– 7 permanent and 100+ on contractual basis
Quote
“The best entrepreneur is one who finds out
what the world needs and gives it to them.”
Chapter 3 45