Tariq Ahmad Zargar, 55, from Karanagar is the CEO of kashmers.com. He returned to Kashmir after working for a digital marketing company for 30 years in Dubai. As a marketing Guru, Tariq Zargar understands the evolving consumer preferences. He saw an opportunity in Kashmir to showcase Kashmiri handicrafts in a new manner that will resonate with today’s youth. He has been revamping old Kashmiri heritage items by using modern technology and elements. He uses 3D technology, lasers and other modern tools, helping him to produce innovation-tinged products, which are being sold online on the website Kashmers.com, which has some exquisite products, especially crafted in walnut wood. Efforts of Zargar to preserve the Kashmiri art and heritage is being widely appreciated and at the same time he is providing employment to hundreds of youth among whom some work directly under him.

Zargar has no family background in the field of arts, its his sheer passion that drives him. He faced some difficulties in the initial stages with new designs, shapes, colours, and technology but his perseverance paid off and he has since created several innovative products. He also promotes eco-friendly designs and products and believes that only the use of bio-degradable material to show will help keep the fragile ecology of the Kashmir valley plastic-free and enhance the brand value of its exquisite art as biodegradable.

His firm belief is that the non-biodegradable items like plastics would “destroy the fragile ecology of Kashmir valley”. There is a need to work more for the preservation and conservation of the environment “for our future generations”. Zargar says the best way to protect the Valley’s environment is by planting trees. “The growth of plants is a long process; somebody has to start it”