Meet Fozia and Farzana, both 23. While one of them has studied management from the University of Kashmir (KU), the other is pursuing Masters in Commerce from the same institute as well as preparing for civil services. The duo has come up with their home-made online chocolate start-up called ‘Halal Chocolates’.
She says while eating chocolates she often would check whether there are emulsifiers in it. “And I would find many of them. This pushed us to make something which is completely homemade and without any preservative,” says Fozia, who lives in the Saraf Kadal area of old Srinagar.
In Kashmir, unemployment has grown over the years and the private sector, which had started developing slowly, has been again hit with violence in recent years.
Many companies shut their operations since 2016 leaving thousands of youth jobless. In 2018, there have been more than 100 days of shutdown, affecting education, business and all spheres of life.
With limited industrialized space, a generation of young people has started small ventures and most of them have successfully flourished and adapted to the uncertainties of the routine violence.
Fozia says, “We had to do something to keep ourselves busy and find a way. So, we thought of chocolates because they are loved by people of all ages and they also bring joy. We want to spread sweetness and a positive message.”
“Creating delicious, handmade treats is also an art,” the girls said, adding that most of their ingredients are unavailable in Kashmir, so they import them from Australia.
“My sister stays in Australia and she has been a big help. She helps us get the ingredients with which we make high-quality chocolates,” Fozia said, adding that they both also pursued a digital course on Creative Chocolate and Confectionary Technology from Australia.
With more than six months into the business of making chocolates for parties and gifts with beautiful presentations, Fozia says they have received an overwhelming response from people.
Marred by unemployment, young generation in Kashmir are now carving their own path to find opportunities.
