Article Submitted by Lamiya Siraj
AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT | BOOKS & RESEARCH
Rising Voices
Empowering Tribal Youth for a Stronger Future
By Dr Shafiqa Gul, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Dr Abdul Khabir,
Shabir Ahmad Wani & Mubashir Shafiq Wani
Sponsored by Tribal Research Institute (TRI), Department of Tribal Affairs, Jammu and Kashmir
Published by Ink and Ideas Publication House
Some books document a subject. This one amplifies a generation.
Ink and Ideas Publication House is proud to spotlight Rising Voices: Empowering Tribal Youth for a Stronger Future, a powerful collaborative work co-authored by Dr Shafiqa Gul, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Dr Abdul Khabir, Shabir Ahmad Wani, and Mubashir Shafiq Wani, sponsored by the Tribal Research Institute (TRI), Department of Tribal Affairs, Jammu and Kashmir.
About the Book
Rising Voices is an exploration of the extraordinary resilience and potential within tribal communities, their history, culture, governance, and the challenges they continue to navigate. The book moves through the core pillars of youth empowerment: education and digital literacy, leadership and self-confidence, cultural preservation and identity, economic opportunity, health and well-being, community advocacy, mentorship, and sustainable development.
What distinguishes this work is its refusal to treat tribal youth solely as subjects of study. Instead, the book positions them as architects of change: young people actively preserving ancestral knowledge through storytelling, building businesses through entrepreneurship and cooperative enterprises, and driving social justice through community organising and advocacy. As the authors write in their preface, the empowerment of tribal youth “is not just an endeavour; it is a commitment to creating a stronger, more vibrant future.”
The book does not shy away from the real challenges these communities face: stereotypes, discrimination, educational barriers, and the long shadow of historical trauma, while also celebrating genuine triumphs in academics, the arts, entrepreneurship, and athletics.
Spotlight: Dr Shafiqa Gul
Among the five contributing authors, Dr Shafiqa Gul brings a depth of academic rigour and lived research experience that anchors much of the book’s analytical foundation.
An Assistant Professor in Higher Education in Jammu and Kashmir, Dr Gul holds a BBA and MBA from the University of Kashmir, along with NET and JK-SET qualifications, a PhD, and a Post-Doctorate in her field. Her research career spans more than six years, with over 40 research papers published in prestigious national and international journals — work that has earned funding and recognition from institutions including the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
Her connection to this subject runs deeper than academic interest alone. As a Research Fellow with the Tribal Research Institute (TRI) in Jammu and Kashmir, Dr Gul has spent years engaging directly with tribal communities, understanding their cultural, social, and economic dynamics from within. That immersive experience gives Rising Voices its authenticity — this is not distant scholarship, but research grounded in genuine relationship and respect.
Beyond her research, Dr Gul is known as a dedicated mentor, recognised for creating inclusive learning environments and taking personal interest in her students’ growth. Colleagues and students alike describe her as a guiding presence whose commitment to inclusivity and equity in education extends well beyond the classroom.
About Ink and Ideas Publication House
Rising Voices reflects precisely the kind of meaningful, impact-driven work Ink and Ideas is proud to support research that does not remain confined to academic circles, but reaches readers who can carry its message forward. As a publishing house committed to giving important voices the platform they deserve, Ink and Ideas continues to champion books that inform, inspire, and create lasting change.
The voices of tribal youth, once marginalised and unheard, are now resounding with strength and determination.
Rising Voices: Empowering Tribal Youth for a Stronger Future is available now.
Amazon Kindle Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSB1825N
Website Link: https://inkandideaspublication.com/product/rising-voices/
