Q. Can you introduce yourself? Where are you from, and where did you complete your studies?

First of all, I would like to thank Reach Ladakh for reaching out to me. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to share my journey.
I am Chemet Rafael from Alchi village in Ladakh. I completed my schooling up to Class 12 in Leh. After finishing school, I decided to take a gap year to focus on building my own startup and exploring entrepreneurship. That period allowed me to develop my ideas, gain practical experience, and work towards creating something meaningful.

Q. Have you ever faced any challenges in your personal or professional journey?

Like everyone else, I have faced challenges in both my personal and professional journey. I believe that difficulties are a natural part of life and should never discourage us from pursuing our goals.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama has said that every day is a new life, and I strongly believe in that philosophy. No matter what challenges we encounter, we should move forward with a positive mindset, treating each day as a fresh opportunity to learn, grow, and become stronger.

Q. What inspired you to become an entrepreneur and start your startup, Snowland?

In the beginning, I had mixed feelings about starting Snowland because of financial constraints. I had only around ₹10,000, while I needed nearly ₹1–2 lakh to launch the venture. Despite these challenges, I decided to take the first step rather than give up on my dream.

I was fortunate to receive financial support of ₹65,000 from the Deputy Commissioner of Ladakh. That assistance proved to be a turning point, enabling me to purchase essential equipment such as a grinding machine, glass jars, and raw materials.

Although I am still at the beginning of my entrepreneurial journey, I remain committed to providing my community with pure, high-quality products. For me, the foundation of any successful business is trust. If customers are satisfied with the quality of a product, they will continue to support the brand. Building long-term relationships through honesty and consistency is my highest priority.

I also consider myself a lifelong learner. Alongside managing my startup, I continue my studies and learn from mentors, friends, and my own experiences. I believe many young people today focus only on securing government jobs and spend years waiting for opportunities. While government jobs are valuable,

I feel it is equally important to apply the knowledge and skills we acquire in practical ways. True learning is reflected in our ability to create value, solve problems, and contribute positively to society.

Q. What products are currently available under your brand, Snowland? What ingredients and raw materials do you use?

Under the Snowland brand, I currently offer a range of products made from locally sourced natural ingredients. These include sea buckthorn products, Multani Mitti (Fuller's Earth), peanut butter sweetened with jaggery, berry products, and pure wheat flour.

Our peanut butter is made without any added chemicals or preservatives, making it a completely natural product. We have also developed two varieties of Fuller's Earth products, one of which is enriched with 10 percent sea buckthorn. In addition, I am working on launching another new product, which is currently in the design and development stage.

Ladakh is blessed with abundant natural resources, and I believe they offer tremendous opportunities for entrepreneurship. By utilising locally available resources and adding value to them, young people can build sustainable businesses, become self-reliant, and create employment instead of relying solely on government jobs.

Q. After becoming an entrepreneur, have you noticed any change in people's mindset? Many people believe that specially abled individuals cannot achieve such success. What would you like to say about this?

I feel sorry for people who think that way because they underestimate the abilities and potential of specially abled individuals. A disability does not define a person's capabilities or limit their dreams.

As I mentioned earlier, every individual faces challenges in life. For example, someone with poor eyesight needs glasses to see clearly. In a way, that too is a limitation. The difference lies in how we overcome our challenges and move forward.

I have been fortunate to have a very supportive family, and I believe family support plays a vital role in helping every individual succeed, whether they are specially abled or not.

From a psychological perspective, children with disabilities should be encouraged from an early age to develop good values, communication skills, self-confidence, and the ability to interact respectfully with people of all ages. These life skills are just as important as academic education and help them become independent and confident members of society.

I have also observed that many young people today focus only on securing jobs. I would like to urge the UT Administration to introduce entrepreneurship education in colleges and provide greater funding, mentorship, and support for aspiring entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurship should be encouraged as a career option so that students understand its potential and have the confidence to create opportunities rather than wait for them.

Q. What message would you like to share with people who aspire to start their own businesses, especially those who are specially abled?

My message to all aspiring entrepreneurs, especially specially abled individuals, is that education is important, but practical skills are equally essential. Knowledge becomes truly valuable when it can be applied to solve real-life problems.

There is a story that perfectly illustrates this. Once, an aeroplane developed a technical fault, and even a team of highly qualified mechanics could not identify the problem. Eventually, a technician with practical experience examined the aircraft and fixed it by simply tightening one particular nut. He charged ₹1 lakh for the job. When people questioned why he charged so much for such a small task, he replied, "I am not charging for tightening the nut; I am charging for knowing which nut to tighten."

This story reminds us that knowledge, practical skills, and experience are invaluable. I encourage specially abled individuals not to limit themselves to formal education alone. Focus on developing practical skills, keep learning, and believe in your abilities. The right skills can help you become independent, build confidence, and achieve your goals.

Message to the readers

Never underestimate your potential. Keep learning, develop practical skills, and don't be afraid to take the first step. Success comes through perseverance, continuous self-improvement, and the courage to create opportunities rather than wait for them.