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Jammu Women Revive Dogri Cuisine, Empower Lives Through Umeed Scheme

Under the Umeed Scheme, Vandana Sharma is leading a group of women in Jammu to revive traditional Dogri dishes that were disappearing from local kitchens. The initiative has grown to include around 15 women, creating a source of income while preserving cultural heritage. Popular dishes like "kim" and "kachalu" are winning back local taste buds and reintroducing flavors to a new generation. The effort demonstrates how preserving culinary tradition can empower women and strengthen community identity.

Key Points: Women Entrepreneurs Revive Dogri Food in Jammu | Umeed Scheme

  • Reviving fading Dogri cuisine
  • Empowering women entrepreneurs
  • Supported by Umeed Scheme
  • Creating sustainable livelihoods
  • Preserving cultural heritage
2 min read

Women entrepreneurs boost local cuisine under Umeed initiative in Jammu

Vandana Sharma leads a women's group in Jammu, reviving traditional Dogri dishes like 'kim' and 'kachalu' under the Umeed initiative, creating livelihoods.

"Our aim is to bring the traditional Dogri cuisine of Jammu back to the people. - Vandana Sharma"

Jammu, April 3

In the heart of Jammu, where tradition and culture are deeply woven into everyday life, a quiet culinary revival is taking shape-led by determined women and rooted in heritage.

Under the Umeed Scheme of the Jammu and Kashmir Rural Livelihood Mission, Vandana Sharma of SHG Durga Mata Group is working to bring back the fading flavours of Dogri cuisine. What started as a small initiative has now become a mission to preserve a rich culinary legacy that was slowly disappearing from local kitchens.

Speaking about her journey, Vandana Sharma expressed gratitude to PM Narendra Modi for encouraging women to become financially self-reliant. She credited this vision for inspiring many women like her to step forward and build something meaningful of their own.

"At present, around 15 women are working together with me," she said, highlighting how the initiative has not only revived traditional food but also created a source of livelihood for local women.

The group has focused on promoting authentic Dogri dishes that once defined the region's food culture. Among the popular offerings are "kim" and "kachalu," dishes that are now winning back the hearts-and taste buds-of people in the region. Their efforts are helping reintroduce these traditional flavours to a new generation.

"Our aim is to bring the traditional Dogri cuisine of Jammu back to the people. We are happy to see that people are enjoying it," Vandana shared. She added that the support provided under the Umeed scheme has played a crucial role in enabling their work and expanding their reach.

As interest in local and indigenous food grows, the women of the group are proving that preserving tradition can also pave the way for empowerment. Through their work, they are not just reviving recipes-they are restoring identity, creating livelihoods, and strengthening the cultural fabric of Jammu and Kashmir.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Great initiative. When women become financially independent, it strengthens the entire family and community. The Umeed scheme seems to be doing good work on the ground. Hope they can scale up and maybe even get these authentic Dogri products on e-commerce platforms for the rest of India to try.
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Aman W
As someone from Jammu, I'm so proud to read this. Our cuisine is unique and full of flavour, but it often gets overshadowed. It's not just about food, it's about our identity. I will definitely look for their products and support them. Jai Dogra!
S
Sarah B
This is fantastic. I love how this combines cultural preservation with women's economic empowerment. It's a model that should be replicated across all states. Does anyone know if they deliver outside Jammu? I'd love to taste these traditional dishes.
K
Karthik V
While the initiative is commendable, I hope the article also highlights the challenges. Scaling such ventures, maintaining quality, and competing in the market is tough. The government support is crucial, but sustainable success will depend on business acumen and market access. Wishing them the very best.
M
Meera T
My mother is from Jammu and reading this brought tears to my eyes. She always says the food there has a soul of its own. These women are not just entrepreneurs; they are cultural ambassadors. 🙏 May their tribe increase. We need such stories from every corner of India.

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