Pencil factory in Pulwama sets example of women empowerment

SRINAGAR — In the Ookhu village of southern Kashmir’s Pulwama district lies a pencil factory, which is leading the pencil industry and supplies 80 to 90 per cent of its raw materials across the country, has set a great example of women empowerment.

Speaking with the news agency KNO, the factory owner, Haji Abdul Aziz Allai, a man in his 70s, said the pencil factory has been mentioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme who highlighted their contribution.

“Established in 2012 in Ookhu, we have been consistently supplying 80% to 90% of raw materials for pencil production nationwide,” Allai said, adding that they have another factory adjacent to the current one, providing employment to over 150 people.

“We have a diverse workforce comprising both male and female staff, locals and non-locals. Our male staff works from 8:30 am to 8 pm, while female staff members work from 9 am to 5 pm,” he said. “We offer pick and drop services for our female employees.”

Speaking about women empowerment, Alai said that around 60 to 70 females are employed in the factory, earning a livelihood. “Many of these women lacked employment opportunities previously, but here, we provide them with a means of earning,” he said.