Bhaderwah Winter Festival Empowers Women, Boosts Bhaderwah’s Economy

Bhaderwah Winter Festival Empowers Women, Boosts Bhaderwah's Economy

Asif Iqbal | January 9, 2024 | 04:51 PM IST | Badharwah, Tourism | Follow on Google News

BhaderwahWinter Festival Empowers Women, Boosts Bhaderwah’s Economy.image/daily excelsior

Bhaderwah Winter Festival Empowers Women, Boosts Bhaderwah’s Economy

The snow-covered landscapes of Guldanda on the Bhaderwah-Pathankot highway in Jammu and Kashmir have become a magnet for tourists, significantly boosting the local economy and empowering women in the region. The recent success of the ‘Vibrant Bhaderwah Winter Festival’ has added a new dimension to the area’s economic growth.

Tourists, drawn by the picturesque meadows and the festival’s attractions, have been flocking to experience the charm of Bhaderwahi culture. Local cuisine, featuring delicacies like the GI-tagged rajma, sarson ka saag, makki ki roti (cornbread mustard greens), knoll khol pickle, and shatloi (local noodles), has gained immense popularity among visitors.

Bal Krishan, the Chief Executive Officer of the Bhaderwah Development Authority, highlighted a noteworthy aspect of the festival—the active participation of at least 20 women who have set up food stalls at prominent locations such as Guldanda, Qilla, and New Bus Stand. These women, showcasing their culinary skills commercially, have become a symbol of entrepreneurship in a traditionally conservative society.

Krishan expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “For us, this is a new phenomenon, and one of the major highlights of the festival is that for the first time, women came out in such large numbers to showcase their culinary skills commercially, boosting entrepreneurship in an otherwise conservative society of the hilly Chenab region.”

The women entrepreneurs are not only earning admiration for their culinary skills but also generating brisk business. The success and recognition attained during the festival have instilled confidence in these women to further strengthen their ventures.

Shakuntla Devi, a 67-year-old resident of Bheja village, shared her experience, saying, “I never thought that I will start earning at this age by cooking sarson ka saag and makki ki roti, but my grandson encouraged me to open a stall at Guldanda meadow. Surprisingly, it became an instant hit with the tourists.” She added that the newfound success has given her confidence, self-respect, and the appreciation of tourists.

Anuradha Katal, a 32-year-old from Katyara village, faced challenges when her husband’s cab service on the Bhaderwah-Sarthal route was disrupted due to road closures after November’s snowfall. However, serving the recently GI-tagged local rajma and rice, along with knoll-khol pickle, to visitors has provided her with a new lease on life. “The positive feedback from the customers has encouraged me to make cooking my permanent profession,” she said.

Tourists have also expressed their delight at the culinary offerings, with one visitor from Uttar Pradesh, Simran, stating, “After Guldanda, the local cuisine is the second best thing we will remember.” The influx of tourists since the first snowfall on October 19 has not only enriched the local economy but has also left a lasting impression on the taste buds of those who have experienced the zing of ethnic Bhaderwahi food.

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Asif Iqbal

Asif Iqbal is a seasoned news writer with a passion for delivering the latest updates to the public. Currently serving as the senior writer at VoM News, a prominent news outlet known for its comprehensive coverage of diverse topics, Asif has established himself as a reliable source of information. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, he consistently provides readers with well-crafted articles that cover a wide range of news categories. His dedication to journalistic integrity and his commitment to staying ahead of the news curve make him an invaluable asset to Vom News, ensuring that readers are always well-informed on the issues that matter most. You can find his work and stay updated on current events by visiting vomnews.in.