Kashmir’s Nazim impresses PM Modi, snaps selfie

Srinagar, Mar 7: Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a photo with Kashmir youth Nazim, who impressed him with his work. Modi tweeted about their meeting at a public event where Nazim asked for a selfie, and the Prime Minister wished him the best for the future. This happened during Modi’s first visit to Kashmir after Article 370 was revoked in 2019.
Nazim Nazir, the owner of Al Nahal Honey hails from saboora Pulwama, gained national recognition during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent interaction at the Viksit Bharat Viksit event at Srinagar. Nazim’s entrepreneurial journey began in 2018 when he was just in the 10th standard. With two boxes of bees on his rooftop, he embarked on a remarkable journey into beekeeping.
Sharing his story with Prime Minister Modi, Nazim highlighted how his passion for beekeeping led him to research the craft extensively online. In 2019, he secured a 50% subsidy for 25 additional bee boxes from the government, enabling him to extract 75kg of honey and earn ₹60,000 by selling it in villages. With his success, Nazim expanded his operations to 200 bee boxes and later received support from the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), receiving ₹5 lakh to further scale his business.
By 2020, Nazim launched his website, facilitating broader access to his honey products. His brand gained significant recognition, leading to the sale of an impressive 5,000kg of honey in 2023. Today, his company employs over 100 individuals, marking a significant contribution to local employment opportunities.
Impressed by Nazim’s journey, PM Modi commended his decision to pursue entrepreneurship despite familial expectations. Modi lauded Nazim for leading Kashmir’s sweet revolution, emphasizing the importance of his work in supporting both beekeeping and farming communities.