Army-Supported ‘Gurez Shakti’ Helps Women in Border Villages Explore Entrepreneurship

Aadil Abdullah

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Bandipora, Nov 3: In an effort to promote women’s empowerment and self-reliance in the remote border areas of North Kashmir, the Indian Army is supporting a unique livelihood initiative at Harmukh Shine, Kanzalwan, in the Gurez Valley of  North Kashmir’s Bandipora district, where local women are manufacturing detergent powder under the brand name Gurez Shakti.

 

The initiative aims to empower women from villages located near the Line of Control (LoC) by providing them with opportunities to learn manufacturing skills, develop entrepreneurial abilities and earn a sustainable livelihood through self-employment.

Women from different villages across the Gurez Valley are actively participating in the production of Gurez Shakti detergent powder, turning their skills and hard work into an opportunity for financial independence.

Speaking to the media, Ex BDC Kanzalwan Mukhtar Ahmad Lone said said the initiative has opened new doors for women in the remote region, where employment opportunities are limited. He said that women who previously had few opportunities to earn independently are now actively involved in manufacturing a local product and contributing to their families’ income.

He further said the initiative has provided local women with a platform to showcase their abilities, build confidence and become financially self-reliant. He appreciated the Indian Army for extending support to women in Gurez and creating opportunities for livelihood generation in the border area.

Mukhtar Ahmad Lone also thanked the Army for its continued efforts towards the welfare of local residents, particularly women, and said such initiatives could bring meaningful changes to the lives of people living in remote villages.

Gurez Shakti, a homegrown product of the valley, is gradually gaining recognition among local consumers. The detergent powder is reaching different markets across the region, with customers showing interest and encouraging sales being reported in local markets.

The growing response to the product highlights the potential of local entrepreneurship and the importance of creating sustainable livelihood opportunities within remote communities.

Through such initiatives, the Indian Army has been encouraging skill development, employment generation and small-scale entrepreneurship among local residents, particularly women living in border areas.

The initiative is not merely about manufacturing detergent powder; it represents a broader effort to empower women, strengthen the local economy and promote entrepreneurship in a geographically remote region.

With growing recognition and market interest, Gurez Shakti is gradually establishing its identity as a local product and emerging as a positive example of women’s empowerment, community participation and self-reliance in the Gurez Valley.