SRINAGAR: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development Department and Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Department, Javid Ahmad Dar, today lauded Himayat for creating a unique platform that offers rural youth an opportunity to shape their skills and build independent futures.
While speaking at the Himayat Alumni Meet 2025 in Srinagar, where several beneficiaries shared their success stories, the Minister said most participants came from humble backgrounds and had advanced in life through resilience and determination. “Himayat is a unique platform that offers rural youth an opportunity to shape their skills and build independent futures,” he noted.
He added that in today’s world, academic qualifications alone are not enough; skill is the real currency.
The Minister urged that skill development should extend to modern farming techniques, soil testing, livestock care, and even the use of artificial intelligence in agriculture. “If we train our youth in these areas, it can spark a real revolution,” he said.
Citing inspiring success stories of Himayat trainees, Dar said every individual must write their own journey of achievement despite hardships. Encouraging the youth, he quoted: “The essential thing in life is not conquering, but fighting back.”
He emphasized that honesty, hard work, and discipline as the foundations of lasting success. “Shortcuts never bring real achievements. Competition should be faced with courage and preparation,” he stressed.
Dar also called for regular personality development training alongside skill trades to boost youth confidence. He congratulated the participants and lauded the Seva Parv initiative, running from September 17 to October 2 across the country, as a platform to highlight grassroots progress and youth empowerment.
“Every household faces difficulties, but we must overcome them, polish our skills, and move forward,” the Minister said.
Secretary, Rural Development Department (RDD) & Panchayati Raj, Mohammad Aijaz Asad, in his remarks, said the event was not merely an alumni meet but a journey that reflected “stories of struggle and success” of youth from remote areas of Jammu and Kashmir who, through the Himayat Mission, have found their path to self-reliance.
“The alumni who shared their journeys today are a source of inspiration for the trainees present here. It shows that Himayat is not just training but also a ray of hope and a path to success,” he noted.
