Jagti (Jammu): The industrial ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed an “unprecedented improvement” in the past few years, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha claimed on Friday and attributed the growth to the government’s efforts and policy interventions which he said “have transformed the Union Territory into a vibrant startup hub”.
According to an official press release, Sinha urged the youth to dream big and contribute to the development of the region to propel its growth trajectory to new heights.
“In the past few years, J&K’s industrial ecosystem has witnessed an unprecedented surge, fostering a culture of innovation, research, development, and scientific advancements. I want to see our youth among the top-notch entrepreneurs of the country, contributing to its growth,” Sinha said after inaugurating the ‘BRICS Youth Council Entrepreneurship Run-Up Event’ at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Jammu, here.
The day-long event provides a dynamic platform for innovators, aspiring entrepreneurs, and youth leaders to showcase innovative business ideas and entrepreneurial initiatives, the press release said.
It said Sinha highlighted the government’s efforts to develop an entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Union Territory. He said, “Our sincere efforts and policy interventions have made J&K a vibrant startup hub.”
He added that various transformative initiatives by the government, through the Department of Industries and Commerce, have redefined the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, empowering the youth of the Union Territory.
“We continue to focus on policies to promote incubation centres and provide better resources and support to establish new startups. I want our youth to dream big, dedicate themselves, and develop a dynamic J&K, propelling its growth trajectory to new heights,” he said.
The LG also shared the key initiatives including Mission Yuva to develop a business support ecosystem for the enterprising youth of J&K. He said reforms are being made in the education sector with a dedicated focus on skilling the youth in the technology of Industry 4.0.
The LG emphasised on the need to bridge academia-industry disconnect to meet the future challenges, and said the human resources should be equipped with the skills required by the market and industry.
He said the youth entrepreneurship mission today is important not only for India but the entire world and the countries from both Global North and Global South are looking at their massive demographic dividend to meet the biggest developmental challenges of 21st century.
The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Jammu, in collaboration with the Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, and its knowledge partner Global Counter-Terrorism Council (GCTC), organised the BRICS Youth Council Entrepreneurship Pre-Consultations event.
Over 40 startups from across Jammu and Kashmir showcased their innovations, technologies, and products in diverse sectors such as tourism, food tech, agri-tech, software technology, herbal cosmetics, herbal food supplements, and artificial intelligence.
The event attracted academicians, technocrats, startups, industrialists, and more than 500 students from various universities, colleges, and schools, marking a significant milestone in fostering entrepreneurial spirit.
Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary; SP Vaid, former DGP J&K; heads of departments, senior officials, members of Global Counter Terrorism Council, young entrepreneurs, innovators, youth leaders and industry experts were present.
