Army-backed flag centre in Kupwara gives 140 women a livelihood

A cooperative society supported by the Army in Trehgam, in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district, has helped 140 women near the Line of Control earn a livelihood by handcrafting the national flag.

The group, known as the Flag Women of Kupwara (FLWOK), was set up in April 2022 as a cooperative society promoted by the Army. It runs 12 skill development centres where the women are employed, drawing workers from different parts of the district, a senior Army officer said.

The centre is noted for hand-stitched and crewel-embroidered Ashoka Chakras on the tricolour, a detail that distinguishes its flags from other commercially sold national flags. The unit also produces Kashmiri hand-embroidered linen.

Since it began, the society has supplied more than 4,500 flags of various sizes for campaigns such as Har Ghar Tiranga and for Independence Day and Republic Day observances. Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned the group during his monthly Mann Ki Baat radio address.

Commercial success has also brought the women onto the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal, widening their access to orders. The officer said each sale strengthens the women economically and helps them live with dignity and self-esteem.

Social worker Sheikh Jamsheed said the Army's role in the area extends beyond border duties to women's empowerment. He said the women in Trehgam were trained first and then given a centre, and that around 30 families have since been earning from handcrafting the national flag. He added that the Army has consistently come forward to offer women safe platforms, including training as radio jockeys.

Rights activist Tauseef Ahmad War welcomed the effort but said such initiatives should not stay limited to one area. He called for similar programmes across north Kashmir so that more people become aware of them and benefit.