Pulwama,29-Oct: Director, Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI), Ajaz Ahmad Bhat (IAS) on Saturday presided over an Entrepreneurship Awareness Programme (EAP) for the students of Government Industrial Training Institute (ITI) Tulbagh in district Pulwama.Continuing its drive to create mass awareness among the educated youth of the Union Territory, JKEDI organized a day long programme and the students were acquainted with the realities of labour market in the Union Territory along with the scope of entrepreneurship development and self employment in various sectors of the economy.The EAPs are also structured to create awareness among the youth about different Government schemes for entrepreneurship development and network the eligible candidates for coverage after proper registration and screening.Speaking on the occasion the Director talked about various sectors of the economy and enumerated potential areas that can be exploited for starting a viable business. He stressed on the need to choose entrepreneurship as a first career choice.The government may not be able to provide jobs to all, but one must take this as a positive and look for other viable career options. Nothing can beat being your own boss and simultaneously creating employment opportunities for others,” said Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, Director JKEDI.He added that there is a need to innovate and add value to traditional businesses in sectors such as food processing, horticulture, animal husbandry, fashion technology, and others where raw materials are available locally.The Government under the leadership of Lt. Governor, Manoj Sinha has a special focus on youth and they are creating an enabling environment so that young people can grow intellectually and financially.JKEDI officers and senior faculty members discussed various schemes and activities on the occasion. Incharge Trainings for Kashmir Division, Dr Meiraj-Ud-Din Bhat, gave a brief overview of the Institute and discussed the various opportunities available to students. Waseem Ahad, Project Manager, discussed initiatives of the Ministry of Minority Affairs.The J&K Startup Policy was briefly presented by Imtiyaz Ahad Malla, Associate Project Manager. The programme was organized by Pulwama District Nodal Officer, Ansar Machloo, and his team. Sajad Hussain Nakib, Assistant Director, Skill Development Department, and hundreds of students and local people attended the programme
