SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) on Tuesday organised a special event titled “Entrepreneurship in Jammu and Kashmir: Possibilities & Prospects” at its Main Campus, Pampore.
The keynote address was delivered by noted former bureaucrat Khursheed Ahmad Ganai, drawing a diverse audience of stakeholders, students, startups, aspiring entrepreneurs and JKEDI faculty.
Secretary in Industries & Commerce Department and Director JKEDI, Khalid Jahangir, underlined the institute’s focus on preparing entrepreneurs to contribute to the Viksit Bharat 2047 mission, India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by its centennial year of independence.
Speaking as the Chief Guest, Khursheed Ganai underscored the transformative potential of the “Viksit Bharat 2047” vision, describing it as a pivotal moment for both India and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.
“As India races to become the third-largest economy, our youth, entrepreneurs and startups must develop a scientific temper, upgrade their skills, embrace technology and actively participate in nation-building,” he said.
Khursheed Ganai highlighted that entrepreneurship in the coming decades will be shaped by emerging sectors. He urged the innovators to break the traditional boundaries and tap into opportunities across India and abroad. He suggested some key areas including Renewable Energy & Climate Action, Electric Vehicles (EVs), Drones & Emerging Technologies, Agriculture and allied sectors and Tourism & Hospitality.
On climate action, he stressed the scope in biomass and waste processing, wind energy and circular economy models, calling for an innovative approach to reduce landfills and convert municipal waste into resources. Referring to a NITI Aayog report, he noted that India’s EV market is projected to reach $200 billion by 2030, presenting opportunities in battery manufacturing, charging infrastructure, and allied services.
Khursheed Ganai also pointed to the expanding role of drones in logistics, courier services and agriculture, alongside growth prospects in semiconductor manufacturing, AI, IoT, 3D printing, cyber security and data analytics.
In the agriculture sector, he mentioned the vertical farming, greenhouse cultivation, horticulture storage, lavender cultivation under the Purple Revolution, dairy farming and organic farming as lucrative ventures. Wellness, trekking, fitness and hospitality, he added, can help J&K carve a distinct identity in national and global markets.
“A successful startup must be innovative, scalable and profitable, while aligning with modern technology or sustainable practices. I urge the government to provide direction and dynamism, while the youth seize these opportunities with creativity and hard work,” he remarked.
The seminar concluded with an interactive discussion, where the participants explored ways to align local entrepreneurship with national development goals.
