Orphaned at young age, 23-year-old entrepreneur Ishrat Ameen aims to revive Kashmir traditions through affordable, quality food

HAJIN: A 23-year-old girl from Chewa village in Bandipora district has turned her love for cooking into a business.
After losing both her parents at a young age, Ishrat Ameen faced many challenges, but she remained determined to build a better life for herself and her family. She recently opened ‘HumSai Cafe n Restaurant’ in Hajin, where she hopes to offer affordable and delicious food to her community.
Speaking to Kashmir Reader, Ishrat said, “I have always loved cooking, even as a child. Opening a restaurant felt like the best way for me to support myself.”
The road to success, however, has not been smooth. “No one thought I could pull this off,” she said. “But I never gave up. Allah has planned something good for us, and I believe that even as orphans, we are living a dignified life.”
“We will provide quality and delicious food around the clock at affordable rates,” she added.
Ishrat’s dream is not only to earn her livelihood but also to revive old Kashmiri traditions through her food. She plans to serve her dishes in traditional earthen pots, a way to keep the culture alive. “I want people to enjoy our traditional way of eating, which is slowly being forgotten,” she explained.
When asked about the challenges of starting a business, especially as a woman, Ishrat said, “There are always people who criticize, but I ignore them. I just focus on my work and my dreams.”
Ishrat recently completed her Bachelor’s degree and plans to continue her studies while running the cafe. “I’ll be doing my Master’s through IGNOU so I can manage both education and the business,” she said. “Everyone has their own dreams in life, and mine was to open this restaurant, which I did with my own will.”
“Some suggested I should pursue other businesses, but when I am satisfied with this, it’s good enough for me,” she added.
Along with running the cafe, Ishrat is also skilled in calligraphy and Mehendi art. She takes orders from brides, which adds to her income. “Alhamdulillah, I am managing well, and I hope people will enjoy the food and experience at my cafe, where I do everything myself—from cooking to serving,” she said with a smile. “I am optimistic that my business will help me establish a distinguished name for myself and earn my livelihood. My sole dream is to become a successful female entrepreneur in society.”
She said that to become a good entrepreneur, one doesn’t need to come from a business background. “You don’t need extensive business knowledge. What you need is will, motivation, and inspiration. The skills you have are enough to become a good entrepreneur,” she said.
Despite her hardships, Ishrat remains hopeful and focused on her goals – earning a livelihood and keeping Kashmiri traditions alive.

GOWHAR MAQBOOL