From Lecture Halls to Cart Stalls: The Shocking Story of Kashmir’s PhD Scholar Who Sells Dry Fruits to Make Ends Meet.

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||A Vantage Point ||Parvinder Singh Editor-in-Chief ||

Srinagar: The scenic valley of Kashmir, a place often referred to as ‘Paradise on Earth,’ hides within it stories of despair and disappointment that challenge its serene beauty. Among them is the poignant tale of Dr. Manzoor-ul-Hasan, a PhD scholar with a dazzling array of academic qualifications, reduced to selling dry fruits and spices on a roadside cart in the bustling market of Shopian district.

Dr. Manzoor’s journey from academia to the streets is a stark reflection of the growing unemployment crisis in Jammu and Kashmir. A resident of Pulwama, Dr. Manzoor holds a PhD in Political Science, has a Master’s in Public Administration, two BEd degrees, and postgraduate diplomas in Computer Application and Disaster Management. For any observer, his academic achievements should have propelled him to a stellar career in higher education. Yet, in a cruel twist of fate, the man who once lectured in prestigious institutions now sells dry fruits near Hospital Road in Shopian to support his family.

For 13 years, Dr. Manzoor worked as a contractual lecturer in various degree colleges across Kashmir, including Pattan, Anantnag, Sumbal, Gool in Jammu, and Tangmarg. His specialization in International Relations made him a sought-after scholar in his field. Beyond that, he is also an approved counsellor for 38 subjects under the IGNOU program. Despite his expertise, his life took an unexpected turn.

Dr. Manzoor’s voice carries both sorrow and resignation as he recounts his journey from teaching students in classrooms to selling dry fruits from a cart. “I dedicated 13 years of my life to teaching, hoping for job security and a brighter future for my family,” he shared. “But my economic situation never improved. We were often left without wages. The government’s decision in 2020 to hire contractual lecturers only on a need basis shattered any remaining hopes of regularization.”

In a bid to provide for his family, Dr. Manzoor even opened a coaching center with a friend, hoping that his vast knowledge and teaching experience would attract students. Unfortunately, the venture failed after just one year due to mounting losses, forcing him to take a hard decision. With few options left and dwindling resources, he took to selling dry fruits and spices, an occupation far removed from his dreams but one that at least puts food on the table.

Manzoor’s daily routine now revolves around his cart, where he offers his goods at modest prices with minimal margins. Yet, his daughters remain unaware of their father’s new reality. “Every day, they ask me to take them along, and every day I make excuses so they won’t see me like this,” he said, his voice trembling with emotion. “I fear the shock it would bring them to see their father sitting on a cart, selling dry fruits.”

The emotional toll on Dr. Manzoor is heavy, especially when former colleagues and students stumble upon his cart. “They buy dry fruits, but there is sadness in their eyes. They often avoid eye contact. Some of them leave money behind—sometimes a thousand rupees, sometimes two hundred—as an act of kindness, I suppose. It’s their way of showing empathy,” he explained.

Manzoor’s story sheds light on a grim reality faced by many in the region—highly educated individuals with no employment prospects. His struggle is not only one of survival but also of preserving his dignity amidst overwhelming adversity. His tale resonates deeply with many who have been sidelined by a system that offers little support to those who strive for academic excellence.

Despite everything, Manzoor maintains a quiet resilience. His cart, now a symbol of his determination, stands as a poignant reminder that beneath the layers of academic achievements, degrees, and titles, there lies a man doing whatever it takes to secure a future for his family. But the bigger question looms—how many more bright minds like Dr. Manzoor will the valley lose to disillusionment and despair?

The story of this PhD scholar, who once dreamed of a life in academia and is now confined to a cart in the market, is a testament to the broken promises made to educated youth in Jammu and Kashmir. It’s a powerful illustration of how education, once considered the ladder to success, can sometimes turn into a painful burden when there is no system in place to absorb and nurture talent.