Untamed Ambition

Refusing to buckle under the economic burden, a 45-year-old woman, Hameeda Begum, from the Lar area in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, has scripted a success story in the dairy sector with sheer grit and dedication.

Hameeda Bano belongs to the rural area of Ganderbal district. She has transformed her life through her involvement with the Self Help Group under Jammu and Kashmir State Rural Livelihoods Mission, Umeed initiative. Despite being from a poor and conservative family, Hameeda broke through social barriers and pursued entrepreneurial success.

The dynamic entrepreneur, Hameeda, has pioneered the creation of Panun Dudh, a flourishing unit under the Self Help Group (Mumkin). Introducing the brand of "Panun Dudh Dairies", Hameeda's dedication has not only resulted in a delectable product but has also provided employment opportunities to 05 previously unemployed members of SHG. Generating an impressive annual income of 12-13 Lakh, Hameeda's success story is an inspiration for us all.

Hameeda’s saga commenced in 2019 when she embarked on a mission to create a sustainable livelihood while prioritising the well-being of cows at home. However, the path was fraught with challenges, ranging from financial independence, and sourcing fodder to mobilising veterinary care.

Hameeda, who has pioneered the creation of ‘Panun Dudh’, a flourishing unit under SHG (Mumkin) her story, is more than a celebration of entrepreneurship; it’s a narrative of empowerment and resilience. Her journey exemplifies how one individual’s commitment can uplift an entire community.
Hameeda says that initially she faced various challenges, however, the journey with the Umeed scheme of JKRLM began in June 2019.

This step marked a significant shift in her life, empowering her to start her own business. "I opened a dairy farm and expanded into a milk processing unit under the brand “Panun Daudh Dairies ”. By learning to convert milk into yoghurt and developing marketing channels, we increased the product value by selling milk in nearby areas at reasonable prices.

Her success with “Panun Daudh Dairies ” not only established her name and earned her respect in her community but also changed the dynamic of women’s roles in her society. Umeed’s impact on Hameeda and other women transformed them from mere participants in family affairs to decision-makers and entrepreneurs.

Hameeda Begum recently had an interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir event held at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar.

During this virtual interaction session, the Prime Minister interacted with Hameeda Bano, a remarkable NRLM beneficiary hailing from block Lar, Ganderbal. Hameeda Bano shared her compelling journey since joining the NRLM, highlighting her transition from struggling to meet daily needs to becoming a successful entrepreneur by establishing the Milk Processing Unit (Panun Daudh).

In her heartfelt dialogue with the Prime Minister, Hameeda Bano expressed her gratitude for the transformative impact of the NRLM loan, which enabled her to establish a thriving business and create employment opportunities for others in her locality.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended Hameeda Bano’s dedication and perseverance and extended congratulations to Hameeda Bano and the district administration team for their collaborative efforts in nurturing successful entrepreneurship within the community.

Hameeda Begum plans to introduce high-tech machinery to expand her business. She aims to capture new markets and generate employment opportunities for rural women, aspiring to be a role model for many.