How a Daughter Taught Kashmiri Town to Lead Itself

Suhail Khan

 

Sopore, Jan 13: True change begins with a shift in perspective. When minds evolve, systems transform, paving the way for a more peaceful, successful society where every individual can contribute meaningfully. Some are born with an innate sense of social responsibility a childhood thought that matures into a lifelong commitment to public service, leaving a lasting positive impact on the society.

In a special series, Kashmir Convener today profiles one such inspirational figure a daughter of north Kashmir’s Sopore who has not only established a benchmark for grassroots service but has also inspired countless others through her work.

Meet Musarat Rasool Kar, a woman whose vision, relentless effort, and impactful work have shone brightly over the years in a town where following dreams—especially for women—was once full of hurdles. Her efforts, however, have shown girls a path where they can strive to live openly and are now shining, achieving great heights.

Through political contribution, social advocacy, and the upliftment of women and education, she has delivered tremendous achievements.

In an exclusive interview with Kashmir Convener, the daughter of the late veteran politician and three-term legislator, Musarat said, “My father played a significant role in the progress, development, and prosperity of Sopore, and that too in an era when working here was full of challenges. Since childhood, I grew up watching his efforts to bring Sopore onto the path of progress and development.”

Musarat said, “I have continued that family legacy. When the responsibility fell upon my shoulders, I tried my utmost from my side to see my Sopore develop. Where people once ran away from politics, today every household embraces politics from the heart. This is the change I feel I brought about, and my soul is satisfied by being part of this change,” she said.

“The turning point in my political journey came when I got the opportunity to lead the town—an opportunity that perhaps had not been given to a woman before—when I became Sopore’s first female Municipal President.”

Notably, a member of the National Conference, Musarat Kar was elected Chairperson of the Sopore Municipal Council in July 2021.

She said, “Since assuming this role, I have always prioritized the town’s civic development, focusing on sanitation, infrastructure, and public amenities.”

“During my tenure as President of the Municipal Council, Sopore, my key initiatives included developing public parks, enhancing drinking water facilities, and undertaking beautification projects along the Jhelum riverfront.”

“Not only within municipal limits, I tried my best to go beyond—to voice concerns about Sopore, about the rights of my people, about the change.”

“All my work is fundamentally rooted in social empowerment, guided by the principle that empowering a woman strengthens an entire family and, in turn, the broader community.”

“I have implemented a multi-faceted social agenda targeting the most vulnerable, including sustained support for orphans and widows, skill-training programmes, and public hygiene workshops. Even today, I am actively promoting youth engagement, especially for girls, through sports and recreation.”

“In education, I have established tuition centres and provided financial assistance to economically disadvantaged students.”

“Women’s empowerment has always remained my mission. My efforts include awareness sessions on government schemes, campaigns on menstrual hygiene, and collaboration with local organisations to create safe spaces where women can seek professional counselling for domestic issues. I provide direct guidance to help women overcome societal barriers and support women-owned businesses through mentorship, networking, and facilitating access to funding.”

Demonstrating innovative environmental leadership, she launched the “Kabbad Se Juggad” initiative—a waste-to-wealth programme aimed at mitigating climate change impacts by educating communities on waste management, recycling, and upcycling. It has established dedicated collection centres for recyclables and organised community clean-up drives to foster collective responsibility.

During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, she launched the “Ghar Ghar Dastak” door-to-door campaign, a proactive effort that safeguarded public health and delivered critical support during an unprecedented crisis.

“My effort has always been, and will remain, focused on women, especially in a male-dominated society where they could not spread their wings openly. Today, in this same Sopore, our daughters are not lagging behind; they are shining with beautiful colours and achieving milestones.”

“I still remember when municipal employees were treated merely as sweepers and people often looked down on them. However, time flies, and today in my Sopore, well-educated youth are eagerly waiting to participate in elections. This is what I feel my efforts have achieved. Today, people are aware of their legal rights. Perhaps for creating this environment, I had to sacrifice a lot.”

She said, “Reaching here was not easy. People will raise their voices, but being a woman in a setup that was no less than challenging… yet, when one really wants to contribute, hardly any challenge can stop them. It was the same with me. Despite hurdles and challenges, I never gave up. I fought, and today everyone is coming forward; everyone wants to contribute to society. Believe me, this change is an achievement for me. This change is soul-satisfying for me, as my family and I always dreamt of this change, and Alhamdulillah, it is visible now.”

Musarat has not only instilled hope for a more secure and equitable future for women but has also fundamentally advanced the cause of gender empowerment across Kashmir.

Her legacy lies in her institutional contribution to societal progress—whether through driving civic change, championing environmental sustainability, or tirelessly working for the welfare of all citizens.

Pertinently, Musarat Kar has raised her voice on global platforms as well, addressing critical issues from climate change and social welfare to education rights, women’s empowerment, and human rights—always advocating for the greater good of society.