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In a pristine and remote mountain hamlet, dreams are now made of cheese. One ‘Cheese Wheel’ at a time. While stoic Kashmiri women rewrite their lives with confidence and skills
By Nasir Hussain
In the remote hilly hamlet of Langanbal near Pahalgam in Kashmir, where the mist-laden mountains stand as silent witnesses, women like Amina Begum are rewriting their life stories — one cheese wheel at a time.
For 35-year-old Amina, life was once a predictable cycle of household chores and financial struggles. “My husband’s income barely kept us afloat,” she says, sitting in her modest kitchen in Srigufwara. It was hard to imagine making a monetary contribution to the family.”
However, her life took a turn in 2011, when she heard about a factory hiring women to make cheese—a skill she never knew, nor ever thought of learning.
Today, she is part of a team of determined and skilled women who work at Himalayan Products, an artisanal cheese brand started by Dutch entrepreneur, Chris Zande. The initiative, which began over a decade ago, focuses on employing women from underprivileged backgrounds and equipping them with specialized skills.
The Struggle to Step Out
“When I first mentioned working in a factory, people in my village were dismissive,” Amina recalls. “Even my in-laws were skeptical. They questioned what a woman could possibly gain from working outside the home.”
The skepticism was not unwarranted. In Kashmir’s patriarchal society, like in many parts of India and the sub-continent, women’s mobility and financial independence are often restricted. For many women, the idea of employment itself, brings with it a social stigma.
Chris Zande, who moved to Kashmir in 2003, was familiar with these challenges. “I knew it would take time to build trust,” he says. To address cultural concerns, he focused on creating a safe and respectful environment for women, ensuring they could maintain a balance between work and family life.
Breaking Norms, Building Skills
Amina, like her colleagues, learned cheese-making on the job. “Chris didn’t just teach us the techniques; he worked alongside us,” she says.
The factory produces both traditional Kashmiri cheese like Kalari and international varieties such as Gouda and Cheddar.
The women also learned ancillary skills like jam-making, honey production, and packaging. These skills are vital for their roles but also hold potential for broader applications in their communities.
For Nighat, who joined the Srinagar factory in 2017, the job has been transformative. “Before this, I spent my days managing household chores,” she says. “Now, I feel proud when I see our products in stores or hear customers appreciate the quality.”
The women earn between ₹10,000 and ₹15,000 per month—a modest but meaningful amount. “With my salary, I can send my children to school and even save a little,” says Nighat.
The Dual Burden
While the income has brought financial relief, it hasn’t eliminated the struggles. After clocking out at 5 in the evening, many women return to their homes to labour yet again — cook, clean, and care for their families. “The work is exhausting, but the independence makes it worthwhile,” says Amina.
The dual burden of hard labour is a common theme among the employees, but Zande emphasizes his commitment to supporting them. “We keep the shifts flexible whenever possible,” he says. “Our goal is to help them succeed, not burn out.”
A Vision for the Future
The cheese itself is a story of innovation and heritage. Zande’s passion for blending traditional Kashmiri techniques with modern methods has resulted in unique offerings like ‘Chili Gouda’ and ‘Basil Garlic Gouda’. But for him, the real success lies in empowering his employees.
“When I started this, I wanted to prove that business can have a social purpose,” he says. “Seeing these women take charge of their lives is the most rewarding part.”
Lives Transformed
The changes extend beyond finances. For women like Amina, the job has instilled a sense of confidence and self-worth. “When I walk into the factory, I feel like I am part of something important,” she says. “This job isn’t just about money—it’s about dignity.”
Indeed, Himalayan Products, with its mix of tradition and modernity, offers more than cheese. It offers hope—a beacon for change in a region where opportunities for women remain scarce.
For these women, the factory is more than a workplace. It’s a shared space of comradeship, unwinding and learning. A bridge between a constrained and controlld past, and an empowered and confident future, built on hard work, resilience, professional skilles, and an unlikely and delicious medium loved across the world: cheese.
So, Say Cheese, Please!
While the income has brought financial relief, it hasn’t eliminated the struggles. After clocking out at 5 in the eventing, many women return to their homes to cook, clean, and care for their families. “The work is exhausting, but the independence makes it worthwhile,” Amina says.
The dual burden is a common theme among the employees, but Zande emphasizes his commitment to supporting them. “We keep the shifts flexible whenever possible,” he says. “Our goal is to help them succeed, not burn out.”
A Vision for the Future
The cheese itself is a story of innovation and heritage. Zande’s passion for blending traditional Kashmiri techniques with modern methods has resulted in unique offerings like chili Gouda and basil garlic Gouda. But for him, the real success lies in empowering his employees.
“When I started this, I wanted to prove that business can have a social purpose,” he says. “Seeing these women take charge of their lives is the most rewarding part.”
Lives Transformed
The changes extend beyond finances. For women like Amina, the job has instilled a sense of confidence and self-worth.
“When I walk into the factory, I feel like I’m part of something important,” she says. “This job isn’t just about money—it’s about dignity.”
Himalayan Products, with its mix of tradition and modernity, offers more than cheese. It offers hope—a beacon for change in a region where opportunities for women remain scarce.
For these women, the factory is more than a workplace. It’s a bridge between a constrained past and an empowered future, built on hard work, resilience, and an unlikely medium: cheese.
Pictures: Nazira Perveez.
Pictures and article courtesy kashmirtimes.com