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Srinagar : Today i.e. on 8th March the world is observing Women’s Day aimed at empowering this beautiful creature of God on earth. We have many inspiring stories of women around us, which reflects the capacity, dedication and energy of the women folk among them. Today we bring the incredible story of Kashmir valleys young man Bilal Bhat who trampled all the odds to continue his unparalleled campaign & social work.
Meet the foot soldier from central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district – Bilal Bhat – a social reformer, campaigner and motivational speaker. Bhat, 37, is a perfect example of dedication, hard work and commitment. He has more than 14 years of experience in the field of social reform and women empowerment in Jammu & Kashmir.
Having done a PG in Commerce and Disaster Management, Bhat is pursuing a Masters in Social Work. He has also done BA in Education and holds a degree in Computer Applications.
Bilal reached all corners of the J&K at the grassroots level with the policies, programmes, schemes and initiatives undertaken by the Social Welfare Department (SWD) for the greater good, welfare and empowerment of the weaker and underprivileged sections of society. During the last five years, he has been involved in women’s and girls’ empowerment through the welfare schemes of the Ministry of Women & Child Development Government of India and the Department of Social Welfare Government of J&K.
“The empowerment of women and serving society has been my lifelong mission,” Bilal said.
“I am very much happy to have chosen social work as my career. It works on the thread of improving the lives of people through various facets including education, food, shelter, education, personality development, spreading awareness, and many others. A dedicated social worker can make a difference in someone’s life,” Bhat said.
He has successfully managed to organize thousands of seminars, public meetings, programmes and camps with all stakeholders, especially Judiciary, Police, Social Welfare, Centrally sponsored schemes of the Department of Social Welfare Jammu and Kashmir under Mission Shakti, Skill Development, etc. He has been awarded by different agencies, Departments for his work in the field of widow welfare, environmental protection, poverty alleviation, social welfare, gender equity and others.
The purpose of these gatherings, Bhat said, is to increase awareness about unlimited schemes available for women in distress situations.
In addition, Bhat also carries out door-to-door campaigns in villages, tehsils, and far-flung areas of various districts to sensitize women about their rights.
Bhat that he started his social work journey in 2009. He has been a national campaigner associated with J&K Women Helpline – 181 since 2018. The helpline is a project of the Ministry of Women and Child Development Government of India implemented by the Department of Social Welfare Jammu and Kashmir.
Bhat is also campaigning about the Centrally-sponsored schemes of the Department of Social Welfare Jammu & Kashmir and has spread the message “Break Your Silence Raise Your Voice, Suicide Is Not A Solution” among more than 5.50 lakh women across the Union Territory of J&K. He focused his outreach, especially in the far-flung areas of Uri in Baramulla, Kupwara, Handwara, Budgam, Anantnag, Baramulla, Kulgam, Pulwama, Handwara, Drass -Kargil, Sonamarg, and Ganderbal. “My mission is safety, security, sustainability and well-being of the community, especially women,” he said.
Bhat has always been sensitive to the community’s needs, especially women who are facing domestic violence, sexual harassment, eve-teasing, cybercrime, dowry abuse, etc. He has for many years shared with them the Centrally-sponsored schemes that work to address these needs.
He has played an active role in disaster situations in Kashmir like floods, earthquakes, fire incidents, disease, etc. In this winter, Bhat launched a special campaign in the far-flung areas of Sonamarg, Chattergul, Margund, Rayil, Kullon, Wangat, Gutlibagh, Babawayil, Bala Gujrat, Chattergul, and Babareshi Bala, in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.
He reached north, central and south Kashmir to sensitise the youth of both genders in different degree colleges, higher educational institutions, different NGOs, government departments, and projects like Umeed, Crisal Foundation, Orphan in Need, Sheep Husbandry Department, Agricultural, Horticulture, Education and so on. He apprised the youth of the ill effects of drugs and their impact on society.
Bhat is a State awardee, honored by the Department of Social Welfare, Government of Jammu & Kashmir. This took place on 8th March, International Women’s Day, 2022. He was named the Best Campaigner cum Motivational Speaker for his work and has been awarded by the World Book of Records London, UK. He has also been awarded by the District Administration Ganderbal in the category of Social Reformer cum Empowerment.
Bilal Bhat has been nominated by District Administration Ganderbal as campaigner cum active member for Nasha Mukt Abhiyan and Internal Sexual Harassment Committee.
While Bilal’s work is mostly limited to J&K, his fame has reached far and wide. He has been striving to develop and recognize Kashmiri art, culture, literature, and natural resources. He has been appreciated by many who recognise his efforts for improving education, women empowerment and the fight against poverty.
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