Srinagar: Carrying forward the J&K Government’s flagship initiative Mission YUVA (MY) aimed at empowering local youth through entrepreneurship and self-employment, J&K Bank today organised multiple Login Day events titled as ‘Roz-e-YUVA’ in Kashmir and ‘Udyami YUVA Day’ in Jammu across various districts of the UT.
Held simultaneously at a number of designated venues, hundreds of young entrepreneurs were handed over loan sanction letters at these programs to help them establish their ventures. Notably, these login day events will be conducted on a weekly basis throughout the Mission YUVA period.
The main programme of the day was held at Government Degree College, Ganderbal, wherein MD & CEO Amitava Chatterjee was the chief guest, Mission Director (MY) Shahzad Alam was guest-of-honour and Deputy Commissioner (Ganderbal) Jatin Kishore was the special guest amid a large gathering of aspiring youth. Principal (GDC) Dr Fouzia Naqshbandi, Bank’s General Manager (CAM) Ashutosh Sareen, Divisional Head (Kashmir) Shabir Ahmad, Zonal Head (Budgam) Fayaz Ahmad Bhat, DGMs Rakesh Magotra and Tanveer Hussain Farooqi, Cluster Heads Javeed Rashid and Masood Ahmad Lanker were also present on the occasion along with other senior administration and Bank officials.
Speaking on the occasion, MD & CEO Amitava Chatterjee expressed his pleasure at the enthusiasm shown by the youth and reiterated the Bank’s commitment to stand firmly behind them.
MD & CEO said, “Mission YUVA is a very unique project that has witnessed support of the entire government machinery right from conception to implementation to ensure that most people, especially youth, can avail maximum benefits without hassles. And J&K Bank remains steadfast in supporting the Government’s vision of empowering youth through sustainable livelihood opportunities.”
On behalf of J&K Bank, he assured the people that the Bank will make every possible effort to make the Mission YUVA program a success. “I am sure that my team will take forward this project of transformation, which is very close to my heart, and make it a success”, he said.
MD & CEO urged the participants to carry forward the message so that everyone in the district benefits from the mission YUVA. He further said, “Youth-led enterprises are the backbone of local development. By facilitating access to finance under Mission YUVA, we are not just disbursing loans – we are investing in the future of our young entrepreneurs and the economic growth of our region. I advise all the beneficiaries under this project to use their finance in the best possible way so as to generate a dignified livelihood not only for themselves but for many others as well.”
He also thanked both the MD Mission YUVA and DC Ganderbal for exhibiting lead roles on the ground.
Expressing his appreciation for the Bank’s proactive role, Mission Director (MY) Shahzad Alam remarked, “I am pleased to be part of this milestone event in this transformational journey of Mission YUVA. The collaboration with J&K Bank is a vital part of this mission. And the presence of MD & CEO Shri Amitava Chatterjee at today’s event, where so many young people are receiving sanction letters, is not only a gesture of leadership but of solidarity with the dreams and aspirations of the youth.”
He also appreciated the efforts of the Ganderbal administration led by DC Jatin Kishore. “I believe our collective efforts are opening up new pathways of progress and hope,” he added.
DC Ganderbal Jatin Kishore expressed his gratitude to the Bank for organising for such an event first time in the district of Ganderbal and thanked MD & CEO Amitava Chatterjee for gracing the occasion.
He further said, “We are committed to continuing work in a mission mode to achieve the objectives set by the J&K Government. Under Mission YUVA, we are trying to promote the culture and heritage of this district by getting the artisans and entrepreneurs credit-linked so that they can improve their lives and expand their ventures. I urge all beneficiaries to make full use of this support and become role models in their communities.”
General Manager (CAM) Ashutosh Sareen apprised the participants about the benefits of the schemes designed by the Bank under Mission YUVA. He further said, “The entire process of registration is app-driven and hassle-free. The steps taken to make this project successful include counselling, guidance and handholding.”
Emphasizing that the success of the mission also depends upon the participation of youth, he said, “I urge all the young entrepreneurs and employment seekers to come forward and register to participate in the process and become job providers.”
Earlier, in his welcome address, Divisional Head (Kashmir) Shabir Ahmad said, “This Roz-e—YUVA is a testament to our shared commitment to youth empowerment and livelihood generation in J&K.” He called Mission YUVA a vibrant platform to create an enabling ecosystem for ensuring sustainable growth in the economy of this region.
At the Ganderbal event alone, scores of beneficiaries – many of them first time entrepreneurs – received sanction letters under the Mission YUVA schemes.
The program concluded with enthusiastic interactions between the dignitaries and the beneficiaries, reaffirming the Bank’s pivotal role as the region’s leading financial institution dedicated to realising the objectives of Mission YUVA – creating avenues of employment, promoting entrepreneurship, and empowering the youth to become drivers of economic transformation.
Similar programmes were held across the UT in the districts of Srinagar, Rajouri, and Kupwara etc. that also saw distribution of sanction letters, counselling sessions, and guidance from the Bank’s officers.
