By: Umaisar Gull Ganie
Srinagar: With the help of the central government scheme, two youth from Anantnag have become successful entrepreneurs and are currently employing over 24 youth in the company.
Two youth from Anantnag-Khurshid Dar and Tanveer Sheikh- are associated with paper napkins and disposable glasses and are earning their livelihood quite handsomely as well as providing employment to other people.
Under the Prime Minister’s Employment Guarantee Scheme, Dar and Sheikh from Poshkeeri Srigufwara area of Anantnag started a business unit of paper napkins and disposable glasses about one and a half years ago by taking Rs 12.50 lakh loan.
In less than two years they have expanded their business and are providing employment to over twenty five youth of the area.
Dar explained that he chose the business because it is an eco-friendly product. Dar said that their annual turnover is Rs 80-90 lakh.
Now, Dar along with the people working in his factory are counseling the unemployed and educated youth of the area and is working to guide them so that they too can start their own business and provide employment to others.
“Earlier, tissue papers were used at some places like hotels only but with each passing day, it is being used widely. This is the reason that I along with my friend witnessed the immense potential in this business,” he said.
Dar along with his friend is working on a plan to expand it further. He further urged the unemployed youths of the valley to avail benefits of schemes provided by the government. Sheikh said that the future of the paper napkin business is very good.
“Two years ago, paper napkins were used more by tourists but today in the present situation in Kashmir, it is being used in every house. During Covid awareness, the napkins are being widely used now,” Sheikh said.
People engaged in making tissue paper, glasses and its packaging are also earning good money from this work.
“We are earning around Rs 25,000 each month,” an employee in the unit said. (KNO)