Unemployment crisis pushes educated youth into street vendor jobs in valley. In Bandipora, Umair Mir, after completing a diploma in Civil Engineering, has joined the growing list of youths turning to small businesses, serving Kashmiri Khawa at his stall in Gulshan Chowk. He left his government job dreams after exams were cancelled and financial issues prevented further studies. He now earns enough to support his family and encourages others to start their own ventures to stay away from distractions. A customer, Tanveer, praised the traditional Khawa stall, describing it as a simple, cultural fixture in Kashmir during winters. Recent PLFS data cited by the Minister of State shows Jammu and Kashmir recording an unemployment rate of 6.1% in July–September 2025, with urban unemployment at 10.6% and urban female unemployment at 20.8%.