Kashmir is home to some brilliant innovators; some have devised tools and techniques to simplify certain processes, while others have started business ventures that have helped boost Kashmir’s economy. These modern innovators should be appreciated, as they have used their creativity and intellect to serve society. Let’s meet 12 modern innovators of Kashmir 2021.
Muzafar Ahmad Khan: He developed a prototype of a pen that can count words. In 2018, the prototype was exhibited at the Festival of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Shahnawaz Khan: Native to Pinjura in the Shopian district, Shahnawaz Khan is the first orchardist to grow red-fleshed apples in the Kashmir Valley. After seeing this genetically modified variety of apples in Himachal Pradesh, Shahnawaz decided to cultivate them to Kashmir. For the first time, he grafted the red-flesh variety of apples in 2019. His innovative approach has inspired other orchardists in the region to experiment with horticulture.
Waseem Ahmad Nadaf: He is aged 22, hails from Srinagar, and is known as Unique Waseem. His recent innovations include a small-sized ventilator developed using scrap and a 3-layered mask that helps prevent the spread of coronavirus. During his early teens, he had developed an invertor that could provide a backup of 30 hours. He designed bottles that could automatically filter water. He has participated in many science and technology events and has a dream to study innovation abroad and return to India to serve his people.
Imaad Rohella and Shahnawaz Sofi: Imaad, a graduate in Luxury Brand Management from Italy, and Shahnawaz, a local artist and graduate in Fine Arts, have come together to revive the carpet industry of Jammu and Kashmir. They have introduced calligraphy and zari work into Kashmiri carpets and rugs, with the intent to match the taste of new-age buyers. This innovation is further fuelling the popularity of Kashmiri carpets.
Sami Ullah and Abid Rashid: These friends came together to start a logistics company called ‘Fast Beetle’. Started during the COVID-19 pandemic, this venture promotes the handicrafts, horticulture and other locally manufactured goods of Kashmir, and also packages and sells them online. Thus, Fast Beetle offers complete logistical support to local craftsmen. It is the first business entity in the Kashmir Valley to provide users with end-to-end services. With a turnover of 5 crores, it is a fast-growing company, and most importantly, it has helped several artists in the valley to sell their works.
Malik Aadil: Malik is from Bandipora, is aged 28, and has completed an MBA. He owns an online grocery store named as Groxery-The Store next Door, which is the first and the largest grocery service in Kashmir. He has developed an app called Groxery, using which one can place an order and receive it at the doorstep within 70 minutes. This app has 45K Android users and 50K iOS users already. Malik aims to cover the entire city of Srinagar and many other districts in J&K, so that people can shop for grocery with ease and get good-quality goods at reasonable prices. His innovation is giving a better shape to the shopping culture of Kashmiris.
Maheen Rashid Pandith: An MBA from the Amity University and a native of Sopore in Jammu and Kashmir, Maheen has started a school, which has 180 students and 25 staff members so far, and has been running successfully for the last 4 years. While many businesses begin with the aim of earning profits, Maheen’s venture, being in the education sector, is leading to the greater good of society. Hence, she deserves a place among the modern innovators of Kashmir.
Mehak Parvez: Fascinated by candle-making since childhood, Mehak turned her hobby into a business idea and started making and selling designer scented candles in the Kashmir Valley. She is an engineering graduate native to Srinagar and is the first woman to start a candle-making business in Kashmir. She crafts the candles based on the buyers’ requirements pertaining to fragrance, colour, look and design. She runs the business mainly over Instagram. Thanks to her innovation, many people in the valley now use decorative candles for special occasions.
Refaz Ahmad Wani and Ishfaq Ahmad Wani: They are twin brothers native to Anantnag district in South Kashmir who have brought about 36 innovations since 2008. They are known as the Creative Twins of Kashmir and also called the Right Brothers of Anantnag. Their first innovation was a JCB machine; they developed this device when they were in the fifth grade. They have provided the National Innovation Foundation (NIF) in Ahmedabad, with 36 innovations, out of which 15 were awarded and all were selected at a national level. They have noted 500 innovation ideas and received many awards at the national and international levels.
Abdul Rahman Sheikh: He is a blacksmith and mechanic who has designed an iron cutter which has simplified the process of cutting iron and helped the industries where this process is required. He has been honoured with a state award at the National Grassroots Innovation Award in 2012. What’s amazing about this innovator of Kashmir, though he has not taken any formal education, he can come up with solutions for difficulties faced at workshops.
Mohammad Rafiq Ahanger: This blacksmith has developed a multipurpose tool which can be used as a hammer, a chisel, an axe, a screwdriver and blad as well as for some other carpentry work. This innovation of his has been widely appreciated. Some of his other innovations include room heating pads and a dehulling machine.
Mushtaq Ahmed Dar: He has developed a walnut cracker and peeler, which he believes will help boost the walnut industry in Kashmir. He has also developed a portable climber that can be used to climb trees and poles.
This list of Kashmir’s modern innovators isn’t complete because, taking inspiration from individuals like these, many young men and women are working with an inventive approach to change living for the better.
