“We were the first ones to bring dry fruits to Numaish, Nampally. My father started this business, and it has been our family’s livelihood ever since. We are originally from Srinagar, where dry fruits, saffron, and handicrafts are part of everyday life.

Back then, selling wasn’t as easy as it is today. There were no online platforms. My father used to travel from Srinagar to Jammu by bus, then take the Janata Express to Chennai. We would get down at Kazipet with our stock and take another train to Nampally. It was a long, tiring journey, but that’s how business was done.

We bring all varieties of dry fruits from Kashmir—walnuts, almonds, apricots, figs, raisins, pistachios, cashews—along with saffron, honey, and Shilajit. Everything is pure, just as it should be. Hyderabad gave us the chance to continue our trade, especially through the All India Industrial Exhibition. What started as just business slowly turned into something more—this city became home. The people here are warm and welcoming, and over time, we built relationships beyond just customers.

Growing up in Srinagar wasn’t easy. There were shutdowns and curfews that made life unpredictable. Business would stop for days, sometimes weeks. But things are changing. Srinagar is now becoming a smart city, and there’s more stability than before.

Today, my children are well educated, something I couldn’t even dream of at their age. They have opportunities I never had. Whether they take this business forward or choose a different path, they have choices. That’s what matters. Looking back, I see how far we’ve come—from tough times in Kashmir to finding a future in Hyderabad. And for that, I’m grateful.”

— Rayees Makhdoomi, Proprietor, Makhdoomia Dry Fruits