Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
Last year, Umar Kumar, a 28-year-old potter from Srinagar began making diyas (earthen lamps) for Diwali.
“We have sold more than 20,000 diyas. Each diya is priced as Rs 10. So, we have earned almost Rs 200,000 in a short span. Such profits were not possible if we had stuck to making traditional pottery items like cups, utensils, and decorative pieces,” Kumar told Gaon Connection.
The diyas made by Kumar are in great demand and he also receives bulk orders from neighbouring districts like Jammu as well as from Himachal Pradesh.
Abdul Salam Kumar, Umar’s father, told Gaon Connection that Diwali has always been special for his family.
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“We have always cherished Diwali as a festival of joy and togetherness. By making and selling diyas, we want to spread love and reinforce the bonds between different religious communities in our region,” the 58-year-old said.
The Kumar family has taken it upon themselves to ensure that their beautiful diyas reach as many households as possible. With a production target of a thousand of diyas per day, they have been working for weeks, moulding, decorating, and carefully packing each diya.
Sham Lal, a Kashmiri Pandit who lives in the same locality as Kumar, told Gaon Connection that the potter family is an example of how diverse communities in Kashmir now have a shared bond.
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The diyas made by Kumar are in great demand and he also receives bulk orders from neighbouring districts like Jammu as well as from Himachal Pradesh.
“I was amazed to learn that the Kumar family, who are Muslims, are making these stunning diyas for Diwali. It truly shows the power of unity and how festivals can bring people closer. The diyas are beautiful, and I am grateful for their efforts,” Lal said.
The Kumar family’s initiative has not only resonated with Hindu households celebrating Diwali but has also instilled a sense of pride within the Muslim community. This act of kindness has become a symbol of unity.
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“The Kumar family’s act of crafting these diyas for Diwali is inspiring. It sends a powerful message of communal harmony and solidarity,” Irfan Ahmed, a local resident, told Gaon Connection.
