Kashmiri entrepreneur requests selfie, PM Modi obliges

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's selfie with a Kashmiri entrepreneur is trending on X hours after he shared the photo on the social media.

Referring to Nazim Nazir from Pulwama as a friend, Modi praised him for his commendable work.

"A memorable selfie with my friend Nazim. I was impressed by the good work he’s doing. At the public meeting he requested a selfie and was happy to meet him. My best wishes for his future endeavours," Modi said on X.

During an interaction with the prime minister at Srinagar’s Bakshi Stadium, Nazim shared how various schemes launched by the central government have benefitted the people of Kashmir.

Later speaking to ANI news agency, Nazim said he was happy about sharing his journey with PM Modi. “Today, there are several schemes of the Govt that support India’s entrepreneurs but when I started, there was just one scheme…I am really happy that I was chosen to speak with PM Modi today…PM Modi asked me about my journey and he also gave some suggestions. In the end, I requested PM Modi to take a selfie with me and he fulfilled my request. That was really beautiful.”

Nazim Nazir, who is an apiculturist, narrated his journey as an entrepreneur began. He said that when he was in Class 10, he started his beekeeping business.

"I had kept two bee boxes on my terrace. After returning from school, I used to go to my terrace and take care of the bees. After completing my Class 10, I started thinking about how to turn this into a business," he said.

Nazim said he later took a Rs 5 lakh loan under the Prime Minister's Employment Generation Program (PMEGP) and bought 25 bee boxes with a 50% subsidy.

"At first, I extracted 75 kg of honey. I sold this honey in my village and earned Rs 60,000, my first earnings. My family was happy. I became very motivated," Nazim said.

Nazim then decided to extend his presence online and launched his website in 2020. He now sells over 1000 kg of honey every year.

"In 2023, I had 2000 bee boxes and sold over 5,000 kg honey," said Nazim, who now has over 100 people working with him.

Hearing this, PM Modi lauded Nazim, saying, "We have heard about the White Revolution and Green Revolution. But today, due to youngsters like Nazim, our Kashmir is witnessing a Sweet Revolution."