Winter has turned bitter, and the capital of Kashmir feels different. Streets have fewer people, hotels are emptier, and many families are seeing their incomes shrink.

Those who once depended on tourism or small businesses are finding it harder to make ends meet, unsure when the next source of income will come.

Carpet weavers, pashmina makers, wood carvers, and papier-mâché artists have fewer orders, and work that once gave them pride and purpose is now hard to find.

Young people are feeling the pressure too. Many educated youth cannot find jobs, and government positions that once offered stability are hard to come by. Small shops, restaurants, and home-based businesses are shrinking, leaving families to adjust however they can.

Some take loans to get by, some leave the city to find work elsewhere, and others stay, hoping opportunities will return.

This is about more than money. It is about confidence, dignity, and hope. Children watch their parents face uncertainty, and families that once felt secure now live with constant concern.

When work disappears, the sense of pride and belonging that shaped daily life starts to fade.

MENAFN03122025000215011059ID1110433479