DREAMS AND MEANS
Reshma Qureshi,a 22-year-old bright and talented student from Kupwara had dreams bigger than her life. Her father Salman Qureshi ran a small shop in the neighbourhood and was able to earn just as much as to support his family. Reshma’s family included her mother a typical kashmiri housewife and two brothers who were studying in high school. Reshma had completed her B.A from Women Govt College, Kupwara. She grew up watching television at her home and was influenced by the glamour of celebrities and their lifestyle. She often wanted to meet few of them but sadly they were far away from the valley. She, being highly captivated by modern lifestyle especially fashion, wanted to run her own fashion boutique shop in her hometown. She knew that in order to pursue her passion, she would have to leave the state and continue with her dreams in a metro city, since her home town did not have any such facility.
She decided to pursue her passion from a reputed college in Delhi. But since her father could never afford the fee, he restrained Reshma from following her passion. One of her teacher guided her about SHREYAS scheme of the govt. Sensing an opportunity she researched about the scheme and started preparing to get the scholarship and pursue her dreams. She prepared hard and finally got a chance to achieve her dreams only because of the govt’s initiative to help the talented youth who are not financially well off. She had to join college in Delhi. But her parents were afraid to send her to place outside Kashmir for the reason that they were scared of how other people would react and behave with her knowing that she was from Kashmir. Reshma was also not sure about the same and was nervous herself, but for her dreams, she tried hard to convince her parents and finally got their approval to go to Delhi.
Before moving to the national capital, she had already spoken to another kashmiri woman who had pursued her dreams and had made a name for herself. She made arrangements for Reshma to stay in an apartment on sharing basis. When she reached Delhi, she called the woman who then came to receive her. She was still nervous thinking how her new roommates and the Delhites would treat her. Reshma was surprised and happy to see the friendliness of the local people. She was relieved from inside and her worries started subsiding. She then went to her flat which was to be shared among three other flatmates who were themselves from different parts of india. When she entered the flat, she was greeted by her new flat mates. They all sat with her and introduced themselves and informed her that they all had come to Delhi for the same course. She got comfortable and felt relieved of her worries. She called her parents who were worried for the same. They felt very happy and relieved.
Reshma then commenced her course and studied hard to excel in the course. While studying in the college she made a lot of friends, who treated her equally with respect. Her perception of “People from Kashmir are seen with an eye of suspicion” was now cleared. She had developed a strong bond and made many friends. In her mind she had developed a very positive picture of how people think and behave with Kashmiris. Reshma completed her course with flying colours. After doing so, she looked forward towards her dream, her own fashion store in Kupwara. She bid farewell to all her friends that she had made in her college.
Reshma came back to the valley. Her parents were happy to see her again. They hugged her and welcomed her with tears of happiness. Few days later, Reshma discussed with her parents her plans to open a fashion store in the same town. Her family was very supportive and agreed to her plans. She took a loan under the MUDRA scheme of the govt of India and started her shop. Soon local population came to know about the new shop in town. The modern clothes that Reshma had herself designed were appreciated a lot by the people. Soon her business grew manifolds and she was able to inspire many other women to follow their passion.
“For those who dare to follow their dreams,
The Almighty will surely provide same means!”
