BARAMULLA: Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperatives and Elections, Javid Ahmad Dar, on Saturday inaugurated a Fashion Designing Centre at Government Degree College (GDC) Hadipora in Rafiabad, aimed at promoting skill-based education and vocational training among youth.
The centre will provide training in cutting, tailoring, fashion designing and traditional Sozni embroidery, with a focus on enhancing employability and creating self-employment opportunities for students and local residents.
According to officials, the initiative is expected to help participants acquire market-oriented skills and explore entrepreneurship and income-generation opportunities. The programme is also aimed at encouraging greater participation of women in economic activities through vocational training.
Speaking at the event, Dar said skill-based education was essential for improving employability and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for young people. He emphasised the need to complement formal education with vocational training to equip students with practical skills suited to changing employment and business requirements.
The minister also highlighted the importance of preserving traditional crafts such as Sozni embroidery, saying such initiatives could help protect Kashmir’s cultural heritage while generating livelihood opportunities for artisans and aspiring entrepreneurs.
He urged students and local youth to make use of the facilities available at the centre and stressed the need to further strengthen skill development infrastructure in educational institutions.
Principal of GDC Hadipora, Prof Tariq Ahmad Wani, faculty members, students and local residents were present at the inauguration.
