Shabnam Hashmi's ANHAD transforms lives in rural Kashmir through empowerment, cultural exchange, and unity campaigns, fostering hope and harmony in one of India's most sensitive regions. Humra Quraishi writes…

Shabnam Hashmi’s ANHAD (Act Now for Harmony and Democracy) has been a program of hope in rural Kashmir, empowering women through crewel embroidery, supporting community development, and bridging divides through initiatives like #MereGharAaKeToDekho. From vocational training to cultural exchanges, ANHAD’s work strengthens financial independence and social harmony, while its national campaigns challenge stereotypes and promote interfaith unity. With projects like the Khumriyal Community Centre and its focus on education and skill-building, ANHAD has created a lasting impact in empowering youth and women across the region. This transformative work reflects the power of grassroots movements in shaping a harmonious society.

Shabnam Hashmi is a remarkable individual who has dedicated herself to empowering fellow citizens, striving to make them financially and socially strong and secure. In 2003, she established ANHAD (Act Now for Harmony and Democracy) as a forum and platform to connect with hundreds of individuals.

Over the past two years, Shabnam and her team have focused on empowering women in rural Kashmir by teaching them the intricate art of crewel embroidery. To quote her: “We began this journey two years ago, driven by our passion to empower rural women. We started production only three months ago. Our products may not be very cheap, but they are priced to ensure that our artisans receive fair compensation and that we can sustain this initiative.”

She elaborates on the process: “The process is painstakingly slow. Our volunteers make multiple trips from our centre to Srinagar. They source the cloth and thread, which can only be found in Srinagar. The cloth is then traced with intricate designs, requiring another trip to Srinagar. Several more trips follow, as our volunteers travel to the villages to deliver the cloth to the women and later collect the embroidered pieces. After 20-25 days of meticulous embroidery, the pieces are taken back to Srinagar for washing and ironing. Another trip follows to collect the finished products, which are then couriered to Delhi for stitching. Finally, after months of hard work, hand-embroidered products are ready for sale in the capital region. In fact, they were showcased on December 27, 2024, at V 38/9, DLF City, Phase III, Gurugram and received a tremendous response from buyers that came in droves.” 

A Legacy of Support: ANHAD's Impact in Kashmir Since 2005

What brought Shabnam Hashmi close to Kashmir and its people?

“Our ANHAD volunteers arrived in Kashmir immediately after the October 2005 earthquake. We visited Tangdar and distributed relief material in 15 villages. Apart from the army, we were the only ones to reach these villages. This first visit led to subsequent visits with more relief material, marking the beginning of our relationship with Kashmir.”

ANHAD provided livelihood support to 700 families and organized significant activities for youth, such as youth clubs, vocational training, and cultural events. Notable initiatives included a theatre festival and Naseeruddin Shah's theatre workshop in Srinagar, discussions with Nandita Das, a student documentary film festival, and South Asian Documentary Film Festival. From 2005–2011, ANHAD actively worked in Kashmir and revived its efforts in 2022.

In November 2022, ANHAD established a Community Centre in Khumriyal, serving the youth, women, and children from Khumriyal and surrounding villages. The centre features a library with over 800 books, open to the public, and equipped with resources for competitive exams like UPSC and NEET, as well as fiction and children’s literature. The centre also offers a peaceful study environment and serves as a venue for community meetings, discussions, and poetry sessions.

Additionally, the centre conducts six-month diploma courses in Computer Applications, Tailoring, Cutting, and Machine Knitting, alongside various outreach programs for the region’s youth and women.

Fostering Unity: The National #MereGharAaKeToDekho Campaign

I was pleasantly surprised to learn about the fact that the national campaign, #MereGharAaKeToDekho (Visit My Home, Be My Guest), launched on August 15, 2023, across 27 states, was initiated by ANHAD. The campaign encouraged Hindu and Muslim families to host meals for one another, encouraging unity and breaking stereotypes. Approximately 100 organizations across India joined this initiative, and what was wonderful to know is that team The Daily Eye, a platform I write so regularly on, managed the campaign’s social media.

As part of this campaign, ANHAD invited people from across India to visit Lolab Valley, Kupwara, and live in rural Kashmiri homes from October 13-17, 2023. Shabnam recounts: “The visitors came from Pune, Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Kochi, Mewat, Ahmedabad, Guwahati, Kutch, and Varanasi. They included professionals from fields like management, hospitality, medicine, psychology, law, gender studies, teaching, and the arts. Hosted in different villages, this program helped dispel preconceived notions and nurtured a mutual understanding.”