Hanan Majid’s journey from Srinagar to leading global universities highlights youth ambition, innovation and entrepreneurship from Jammu and Kashmir.
SRINAGAR: Kashmiri youth Hanan Majid has earned admission offers from several leading global universities, including the University of Pennsylvania, New York University, Columbia University and the National University of Singapore, marking a major academic milestone in his international journey.
Originally from Srinagar, Hanan began his global education journey at the age of 15 after receiving a full scholarship to study at Wasatch Academy in the United States. His early exposure to international education helped shape his interest in leadership, community development and behavioural sciences.
After completing high school, he secured another full scholarship to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Ripon College. During his time in the United States, Hanan actively participated in social initiatives, including housing assistance programmes during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also worked with organisations supporting the resettlement of Afghan refugee families.
Hanan Majid’s journey shows how young people from Jammu and Kashmir are making their mark globally through education, innovation and enterprise.
Alongside academics and community service, Hanan built a professional career in the real estate sector. By the age of 21, he had reportedly facilitated real estate transactions worth more than USD 10 million. He later expanded his professional experience to Dubai, where he worked with leading property firms and advised investors.
After spending nearly seven years in the United States, Hanan returned to India to explore opportunities in the country’s expanding startup ecosystem. He later founded Aasta, a platform that helps restaurants and cloud kitchens sell surplus, high-quality meals at discounted prices. The initiative aims to reduce food wastage while allowing food businesses to recover part of their operational costs.
His startup received national recognition in 2025 after winning a competition organised by TiE Bangalore, one of India’s prominent startup platforms. The achievement brought attention to emerging entrepreneurial talent from Kashmir and highlighted innovative solutions linked to sustainability and food waste reduction.
Hanan Majid’s academic, professional and entrepreneurial journey is being seen as an inspiring example of youth achievement from Jammu and Kashmir. His success reflects the growing global engagement, innovation and ambition among young people from the region.
