Poonch, March 3,2026- In the remote Gundi area of #Poonch district, 16-year-old Sehrish Mushtaq is emerging as a symbol of digital empowerment and youth entrepreneurship. A Class 10 student with big dreams, Sehrish has successfully launched her own handmade gift venture by leveraging digital tools and artificial intelligence to market and sell her products online.
Despite living in a border district with limited resources and opportunities, Sehrish refused to let geographical constraints limit her aspirations. Determined to become self-reliant, she registered herself as a seller on leading e-commerce platforms last year and began promoting a range of handcrafted items, including customised gift hampers, decorative pieces, greeting cards, and personalized accessories.
Using artificial intelligence tools, Sehrish designs creative product templates, enhances product images, writes engaging product descriptions, and manages her social media presence more effectively. Her innovative approach has helped her reach customers beyond Poonch and even outside Jammu & Kashmir.
“I wanted to do something of my own and not depend on anyone,” Sehrish said, adding that digital platforms gave her the confidence to showcase her creativity to a larger audience.
Balancing her studies with entrepreneurship, Sehrish manages orders after school hours. She carefully packages each product and ensures timely dispatch, gradually building a loyal customer base. Her venture has not only provided her with financial independence but has also inspired other young girls in her area to explore digital opportunities.
Local residents have praised her efforts, calling her journey a testament to the transformative power of technology in remote regions. Her story reflects how access to digital tools and e-commerce platforms is empowering youth in border districts like Poonch to become job creators rather than job seekers.
Sehrish now plans to expand her product line and further enhance her brand visibility through advanced AI-driven marketing strategies.
Her journey stands as a powerful example of how determination, creativity, and digital literacy can break barriers and create opportunities even in the most remote corners of the country.
