Suhail Khan
Srinagar, Nov 28: Defying entrenched gender norms in a traditionally male-dominated society, two sisters from summer capital city Srinagar are forging a path of entrepreneurial success and cultural preservation, shows that leadership and innovation are not bound by gender.
Through their calligraphy venture, Fatima and Soliha Tariq have not only established a thriving business but have also become a profound source of pride for their family, challenging the archaic notion that the absence of a son is a limitation.
These two sisters never allowed their father to feel the absence of a son, instead, they have filled that role with their dedication and achievements.
Fatima, Speaking exclusively with Kashmir Convener. “We have been doing calligraphy since 2017, but we recently innovated with this flower concept, which we have been working on for the past year,” she said.
While running their stall, she added, “We have also made bookmarks and key chains featuring these flowers. That’s our new innovation, and we’ve been doing it for about a month.”
“When we started this work, we were hopeful that people would support us. By the grace of God (Alhamdulillah), we have received so much love from people, which has motivated us to move forward and continue introducing new innovations,” Fatima shared.
She emphasized their commitment to their family, stating, “We both sisters have never let our father down and have always made him proud. God willing (Inshallah), we will continue to do so, proving that daughters are in no way less than sons. We never let him think we are incapable. We have made our mark and shown that daughters are second to none. When you have the passion to achieve something, it hardly matters that we don’t have a brother. We can work hard and make our family proud.”
Fatima also revealed their future goal, “We both sisters hope to send our parents on Hajj and Umrah, and we are very hopeful of fulfilling this dream.”
Another sister Soliha Tariq, in conversation with Kashmir Convener, declared, “I am the son of my father. I have proved to him that it hardly matters that we don’t have a brother. We have the courage and the determination, and with this resolve, we will move forward and bring honor to our family.”
She stated a positive public response to their work. “By God’s grace (Alhamdulillah), we are getting a very good response from people.”
Soliha detailed her entrepreneurial journey, which began after the abrogation of Article 370. “I started my work then, and whatever profit I made, I reinvested it. This ensured that my work not only continued without decline but kept growing.”
She acknowledged that the path hasn’t been easy. “Admittedly, it has not been an easy journey; there have been hurdles. But good times have also come, and Alhamdulillah, we are now progressing smoothly in our efforts.”
The sister duo receives orders through their Instagram page, “The Sisterology.”
Notably, While Kashmir has produced a wealth of artists, many feel the government has not taken serious steps to protect this industry and the prestige it once held globally. On a positive note, calligraphy is currently experiencing a revival, with the younger generation showing renewed interest, giving this ancient art form a new lease on life.
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