Karachi: The two-day Bohra Bazaar Festival- to promote Bohra entrepreneurs- was held over the weekend in Frere Hall, Karachi.
The festival showcased numerous stalls of Bohra owned businesses which included both home-based women entrepreneurs and established businesses from the community.
Bohra are a minority but mostly resides in India and Pakistan. Karachi is hometown to a large number of Bohra’s who run small and medium level businesses of garments, food, travel and household items to name a few.
The main purpose of the festival was to promote Bohra entrepreneurs and promote the community’s culture among Karachiites.
“We came here to support entrepreneurs from our community and such events will highlight the abundant talent our community has,” said Maria, a visitor from the community.
The majority of stalls in the festival were owned by women entrepreneurs who mostly work from home or online but have not gotten a chance to publically interact for various reasons.
“I have been doing business for last seventeen years from my home but nobody really knew about it,” said 52-year-old Nafisa Hussain who prepares and sells children books, learning games and other items.
“This festival was going to provide the exposure our entrepreneurs need so I also decided to avail the opportunity,” said Hussain who now intends and hope to be a part of this event in future as well.
Besides Hussain, established business owner, Hakim Qutbuddin (with his herbal products business) and young entrepreneur Nafisa Murtaza were also present at the Bohra Bazaar with her stall of Insia Cosmetics.
The 22 year old entrepreneur has started her business merely six months ago and bought a stall at the event to market her newly found venture.
“Although the response is really good here, but I believe that the interaction I’m having with the potential clients today will help my business more in the future,” said Murtaza.
Another positive aspect of the event was the presence of both Bohra and Non-Bohra families which highlighted the diversity of the city.
“Such events will help in promoting inter-cultural harmony and honestly it’s the need of the day as well,” said Seema Ismail who was at the event due to her interest in exploring new cultures and their cuisines.
Apart from various kinds of businesses that were displayed at the event, a vast variety of food stalls, games and other entertainment activities were also a major attraction of the two day festival.
