Indian Army Empowers Kupwara Women Through Flag-Making Initiative
Shahid Peer
Kupwara : A unique women-led initiative in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district is transforming lives by combining traditional Kashmiri craftsmanship with national pride. The Flag Women of Kupwara (FLWOK) initiative, promoted by the Indian Army, has emerged as a remarkable model of women’s empowerment, heritage preservation and sustainable livelihood generation in remote border villages.
Established as a cooperative society with the support of the Indian Army, FLWOK has grown from a small crewel and tailoring centre in Kunan-Poshpora and Kawari into a thriving movement involving women from multiple villages across Kupwara. Today, the initiative operates through 12 Skill Development Centres, providing employment opportunities to around 244 women.
FLWOK specializes in the stitching and hand-crewel embroidery of the Indian National Flag, particularly handcrafted Tricolours featuring intricately embroidered Ashoka Chakras. During the Har Ghar Tiranga and Mission Tiranga campaigns, women artisans worked tirelessly to produce thousands of National Flags, earning appreciation across the country. The initiative also received national recognition when it was mentioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Mann Ki Baat programme.
According to FLWOK, the women have stitched and delivered more than 3,500 National Flags of various sizes, while on another occasion successfully completing a large order of around 4,500 flags for distribution across different parts of the country. For many participants, crafting the National Flag is not merely a source of income but a matter of honour and patriotism.
The initiative has brought hope and dignity to women from remote villages located near the Line of Control (LoC), where economic opportunities are often limited. Many of the women had never operated a sewing machine or worked in organized groups before joining FLWOK. Through continuous training, mentorship and encouragement, they have transformed traditional embroidery skills into sustainable livelihoods.
Beyond flag-making, FLWOK is helping preserve Kashmir’s rich handicraft heritage by producing hand-embroidered linens, crewel suits, runners, cushion covers, napkins, table linen and other handcrafted products. Each item reflects the region’s traditional artistry while contributing to the economic independence of local women.
Women associated with the initiative have expressed gratitude to the Indian Army for providing stitching machines, raw materials, training and institutional support. The assistance has enabled them to become financially self-reliant and contribute
to their families’ well-being.
“Empowering Women, Preserving Heritage, Building Futures” is more than a slogan for FLWOK. The initiative stands as a symbol of resilience, self-reliance and community development, demonstrating how skill development and sustained support can create meaningful change in remote regions. Every handmade Tricolour produced by these women carries not only the colours of the nation but also a story of courage, determination and hope for a brighter future.
