Blind Kashmiri Pandit Entrepreneur Opens Restaurant in Kupwara, Receives Overwhelming Local Support
In the main market of Langate in north Kashmir's Kupwara district, a brightly lit restaurant named 'Taste and Treats' stands as a symbol of resilience and community harmony. The 29-year-old owner, Akash Dhar, a Kashmiri Pandit who lost his eyesight due to a degenerative genetic disease, opened the establishment two weeks ago. Despite his blindness, Dhar manages the restaurant with a smile, greeting customers and overseeing operations.
Dhar's family migrated from Jammu and Kashmir during the peak of violence in the 1990s, settling in a migrant colony in Jammu where he was born. His mother is from Handwara, about 4 km from Langate, and his father is a native of Langate. Dhar pursued higher education, graduating from the University of Jammu and completing professional computer courses in Delhi. He also represented the Jammu and Kashmir blind cricket team in 2022.
The local community's response to Dhar's venture has been remarkable. His landlord, Bashir Ahmad Beigh, has refused to accept rent, and customers from various areas—including Ganderbal, Srinagar, and local residents—have been flocking to the restaurant. The manager, Irfan Ahmad Lone, reported that both Muslims and Kashmiri Pandits have visited, creating a diverse customer base.
Latief Ahmad Ganai, president of the local market association, expressed collective support, saying, 'We all want Taste and Treats to do well. We hope this will encourage other Kashmiri migrants to return.' Dhar's employee, Yasir Aamir, a local youth, shared that his family is happy he found a job at the restaurant.
Dhar's journey has been challenging. He was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa as a child, a condition that caused night blindness and eventually total blindness. His younger sister has the same condition, but both pursued higher education. Dhar's sister is studying music, while he focused on his business. After multiple attempts to qualify for civil services, he decided starting a business felt like a natural step.
'It seems like this is what I had always been waiting for,' Dhar said, as his employee nodded approvingly. The restaurant's success has drawn attention from across the region, with some visitors traveling from Srinagar specifically to dine there.
The story highlights a positive example of inter-community support and the potential for return of displaced families, with local residents actively backing Dhar's enterprise. The restaurant's modern decor and eight neatly arranged tables offer a welcoming ambience, and Dhar's determination has made him a local inspiration.
