Bandipora, Sept. 27 -- Suhail Rather

In a time when joblessness and economic uncertainty haunt the youth of Kashmir, a teenage girl from Ajas, Bandipora, is carving her own path with courage, creativity, and determination.

Afreen Farooq, a young student from Ajas, has embarked on a remarkable journey of building her own online business by leveraging her artistic skills into opportunities. Instead of waiting for employment, she dreams of creating it through her talent.

From a very young age, Afreen developed a love for different forms of art. Today, her portfolio includes a wide variety of creative skills such as calligraphy, sketching, quilling, crocheting, knitting, hoops embroidery, tilla handwork, decor crafts, and even poetry. Each...