Lone Imran
Khawaja Itrat, hailing from the Bandipora district of North Kashmir, has proven that age is just a number. An M.tech graduate from Chandigarh Group of Colleges who is 25 years old has eventually started back to back three business outlets back home after completing his studies in Chandigarh.
Khawaja Itrat came into limelight in Chandigarh when he and his organization, Jammu Kashmir Students Organization successfully evacuated more than 400 students from various states of India in the aftermath of Pulwama Attack, as Kashmiri students in colleges all over India became victims of harassment. Khawaja is the president of the organization as well.
Meanwhile, Khawaja kick-started his first business outlet in his hometown Bandipora after he realized that Kashmiri youth was very talented but lacked personality development and communication skill. Khawaja started an institution called “Academic Pathways Personality Development Cum Carrier Counseling Center”.
While briefing about the Academic Pathways, the founder cum director told The Kashmiriyat “At Academic Pathways, we understand each high school student is unique and destined for his or her own greatness in life. We know it’s our job to help each student find their way while receiving the educational tools and pre-college support they require.”
“Our approach to academic planning is simple yet highly effective: we work with each student individually to leverage his or her profile and portfolio before mapping out a personal path to achievement. Throughout this process we are careful to address each student’s (and parent’s!) needs and concerns, enriching the process with our own experience and expertise” he added.
In the month of March 2021,Khawaja Itrat collaborated with the Kolkata based food delivery service called Hypergo. He along with his team, successfully launched Hypergo Bandipora on 19 March 2021 in the district Bandipora of North Kashmir.
Hypergo Bandipora head Khwaja Itrat said that he got the idea to start such a service that could not only benefit him but will provide a job opportunity to youngsters, as well. “As we have started, anyone can order hygienic food groceries and medicines through an android App and our delivery boys/girls shall deliver the stuff,” he said to The Kashmiriyat.
It’s pertinent to mention Hypergo is a hyper-local delivery/e-commerce company devoted towards delivering the best service at the customer’s doorstep. Meanwhile, several entrepreneurs had hailed the effort of Khawaja Itrat who started these services in the town.
Khawaja Itrat also runs a restaurant in South Kashmir’s Awantipora near Islamic University of Science and Technology. According to Khawaja, he provides numerous job opportunities through his various initiatives to the youth of Jammu Kashmir. The Kashmiriyat contacted many senior citizens of North Kashmir along with the employees who have hired by Itrat. All of them have collectively appreciated the efforts of the young star.
Besides that, Khawaja Itrat runs an NGO as well. “KHAWAJA ITRAT FOUNDATION” is the organization which is being full fledgedly run by Khawaja Itrat and his team.
Khawaja Itrat Foundation in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district has accelerated its efforts to reach marginal sections of the society to help them face the effects of Covid-19 lockdown. Itrat, founder of the NGO, said that they have distributed over 400 food kits and other items among the needy people who have been facing a lot of hardships durimg the ongoing covid crises in Bandipora district.
He said that the food kits were distributed among needy families already identified by the volunteers including Khawaja Shahid, Shabir Bhat, Zamin Hamayun, Mudasir Lone, Sohaib Rahim, Shaizan Nadaf and Junaid Farooq.
“400 families were provided rations and other essential items including face masks, cooking oil, chilli powder, atta, meat, tea, salt and sanitary items,” he added.
Itrat has worked tirelessly since covid-19 pandemic began, in the district by helping district administration through various means.
He also helped district administration in developing contact tracing website last year. Recently, Itrat also denoted 5 oxygen cylinders and other medical equipments to district hospital Bandipora.