X: @the_news_21
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, engaged with locals at the Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir event in Srinagar. One particular interaction caught attention, where PM Modi interacted with Nazim, a local beekeeper who shared his inspiring success story as a beneficiary of the Viksit Bharat programme.
Nazim, a beekeeper based in Pulwama, shared his journey with the prime minister, highlighting how he transformed his small-scale beekeeping venture into a thriving business. He explained that in 2019, he received a 50 per cent subsidy for 25 boxes of bees, which eventually grew to 200 boxes. Seeking assistance from the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), Nazim expanded his operations, receiving Rs 5 lakh in support. With this, he ventured into online sales by launching his website in 2020.
By 2023, Nazim’s business flourished, with sales of about 5,000 kg of honey and 2,000 honeycombs. Notably, he also extended opportunities to others, with 100 individuals joining his beekeeping business.
Impressed by Nazim’s entrepreneurial journey, PM Modi shared a selfie with him, referring to him as his “friend” and commending the exemplary work he was doing. Modi expressed his best wishes for Nazim’s future endeavours.
Nazim Nazir Dar’s entrepreneurial spirit dates back to 2017 when he embarked on his beekeeping venture inspired by an internet surfing session. Starting with just two beehives, Nazim’s dedication and hard work led to significant growth in his business. By 2019, he employed six locals and expanded his beekeeping operations to 150 hives, yielding 1,200 kg of honey.
Following a beekeeping training course facilitated by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission, Nazim’s business received a boost, with the acquisition of 10 free bee-boxes. This further propelled his honey production, enabling him to achieve substantial earnings in the local market. Within 10 months, Nazim’s monthly income soared to Rs 20,000-25,000, providing employment to two individuals.
Nazim’s remarkable journey from a small-scale beekeeper to a successful entrepreneur evidently left a lasting impression on PM Modi, who lauded his achievements during their interaction in Srinagar.
