In the 2nd part of the conversation with Rajesh Prothi, Managing Partner, Absolute Factor & the Founder of www.thecherrytree.in, Ifshan Mehraj shared her views of Kashmiri Culture and how she has been able to create a balance between professionalism and her personal time.
What are your other interests apart from your professional career?
Although my professional career and my love for adventure keep me occupied most of the time, I also have a strong interest in spending quality time with my son. As a mother, I believe that nothing can be more fulfilling than seeing my child grow and develop into a well-rounded individual.
Apart from that, I also enjoy exploring new places, trying out different cuisines, and reading books on adventure and entrepreneurship. As an adventure enthusiast, I am always on the lookout for new challenges and opportunities to push myself out of my comfort zone.
But perhaps my greatest passion outside of my career is spending time with nature. This led me to start my enterprise of bee farming. I run a company by the name of Fall Honey Private Limited.
It is quite natural, that once you get involved in business, the first challenge is to manage your family. Between both, one often ignores the cultural aspects which is a very important factor in the overall growth of a person. In your case how are you managing to keep the culture of Kashmir alive?
As a proud Kashmiri, I believe that preserving and promoting our rich cultural heritage is crucial to maintaining our identity and strengthening our community and I am fully committed to doing my part.
One of the ways in which I am contributing to this effort is through my adventure company. We offer tours and experiences that not only showcase the natural beauty of our region but also immerse our guests in the local culture. Whether it’s trying traditional Kashmiri cuisine, learning about our history and folklore, or interacting with the locals, our tours offer a unique and authentic experience that helps keep our culture alive. My effort is of not just keeping it alive but spreading it across to other geographies.
Your enterprise which is in the honey business, tell us more about it.
My company Fall Honey, sells pure honey that has been organically made in Kashmir. This is not just a business venture for me, but also a way to promote our traditional methods of beekeeping and supporting our local farmers. By providing a market for their products, I hope to contribute to the sustainable development of our region while also preserving our cultural practices.
I believe that preserving our cultural heritage is a collective responsibility, and I am proud to be doing my part in keeping the culture of Kashmir alive through my business ventures and adventures_
There has been a massive cultural shift in way Kashmiri thinks today. More importantly, they way people conducted themselves till the late 1980s, when various communities co-existed in the Valley and now. What is your thought process?
I appreciate the question as it is important to reflect on the changes that have taken place in our society over the years. As a Kashmiri, I believe that our culture is diverse and rich with traditions, values, and customs that have been passed down from generations. Our culture is a beautiful amalgamation of various influences from different parts of the world, and it is what makes Kashmir so unique.
However, the culture of Kashmir has also undergone significant changes over the years. The early and late 1980s saw a period of unrest and turmoil, which affected the social fabric of our society.
Many communities co-existed in the valley of Kashmir, and their interactions helped shape the culture of the region. Unfortunately, the conflict in the region has caused some fragmentation, but it is important to remember that Kashmiris are resilient and adaptable people, and we are working hard to preserve our culture despite the challenges we face.
Through my work in adventure tourism and the sale of pure honey, I am committed to promoting and preserving the rich cultural heritage of Kashmir. We encourage our visitors to learn about our culture, try our local cuisine, and immerse themselves in our way of life. It is through such efforts that we can continue to showcase the beauty of our culture to the world and ensure its survival for generations to come.