Dr Vishal Sharma
The requirement for a startup and entrepreneurship culture in Jammu and Kashmir is paramount, especially in a region where the traditional aspiration for government jobs has dominated the mindset of the young generation. Jammu and Kashmir have historically seen a preference for Government employment due to perceived job security, stability, and social status associated with such positions. However, the public sector has a limited capacity to employ the vast number of young graduates entering the workforce each year. This bottleneck has led to high competition, long waiting periods, and often underemployment. Fostering a startup culture can provide an alternative, creating more job opportunities and reducing reliance on a single employment source.
Moreover, the region’s geopolitical sensitivities and historical challenges require an economy that is resilient and self-sufficient. Jammu and Kashmir is rich in resources and talent, from agriculture to handicrafts and tourism potential. Startups can leverage these resources, tapping into markets that are currently underserved. For instance, with the right support, local entrepreneurs can create businesses around traditional food and processing, eco-tourism, and heritage crafts like Basohli paintings and pashmina shawls, Kashmiri shawls and carpets thereby preserving heritage while generating income. By nurturing this talent through mentorship, funding, and training, the region can create a productive workforce skilled in modern and locally relevant industries.
Mission YUVA (Yuva Udyami Vikas Abhiyan) is a ground breaking initiative aimed at accelerating employment opportunities through entrepreneurship across the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. This initiative is part of the Government’s ongoing commitment to empower youth, women, and other vulnerable groups by fostering a dynamic ecosystem for fostering innovation and creating startup and entrepreneurship. The vision of the programme is to convert Jammu and Kashmir as a thriving hub of enterprises and holistic employment by fostering entrepreneurship culture, unlocking its inherent potential for transition towards sustainable economy, livelihood and empowered youth. Mission YUVA is a step towards building a robust ecosystem that supports innovation and entrepreneurship, ensuring that young people are at the forefront of sustainable development.The program seeks to empower the youth by fostering essential skills and an entrepreneurial mindset. The program focused on creating a sustainable and innovative environment for young entrepreneurs, offering guidance on how to support and nurture innovative ideas. Through this initiative, the mission aspires to instill confidence and self-reliance in young minds, encouraging them to become future-ready leaders in their fields.It is not just the invention of a new idea that is important. It is actually “bringing it to market”, putting into practice and exploiting it in a manner that leads to new products, services or systems that add value or improve quality.To inspire young entrepreneurs, the mission provides support through financial assistance, mentorship, and resources.
This project shall be implemented in convergence with self-employment schemes of other Departments to ensure better effectiveness by leveraging on the resources of other programmes and will also increase the efficiency and effectiveness of existing employment generation schemes. This programme is in sync with the recent Union Budget 2024-25 announcements and the vision of Prime Minister of creating employment opportunities for 4 crores youth of the Nation. This programme is a watershed initiative for generating sustainable economic model for generation of employment opportunities for the youth of Jammu & Kashmir through entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Vision and Objectives of the Programme
The vision of this program is to transform Jammu & Kashmir into a hub of entrepreneurship and sustainable employment. It envisions a future where empowered youth are at the forefront of economic development, leading the transition towards a more sustainable economy. By cultivating an environment conducive to innovation and sustainable practices, this program aims to uplift the region’s economy and enhance the standard of living. Focusing on skill-building, entrepreneurial mindset development, and innovative ecosystems, this initiative prepares youth to engage meaningfully with evolving job markets and contribute significantly to regional growth.
Empowering Youth through Skill Development
The initiative aims to generate substantial employment opportunities in Jammu & Kashmir by promoting innovation and entrepreneurship with a special focus on youth, women, and vulnerable groups. This program recognizes the region’s potential to harness its human capital, particularly young people, to address local economic challenges while creating a supportive ecosystem for entrepreneurship. A critical part of the program is empowering young people by equipping them with essential skills and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset. The initiative provides an environment that encourages sustainable and innovative thinking, enabling aspiring entrepreneurs to bring their ideas to life. Through targeted guidance, participants receive support on structuring their ideas, navigating market demands, and creating viable solutions. The program places a strong emphasis on teaching the principles of sustainable entrepreneurship, ensuring that new businesses contribute positively to both the economy and the environment. With a focus on nurturing young minds, the program encourages a forward-thinking approach to problem-solving and economic participation.
Turning Ideas into Market-Ready Solutions
Inspiring young people to transform their ideas into viable products and services is a cornerstone of this initiative. By offering mentorship, financial assistance, and a range of resources, the program supports young entrepreneurs on their journey from concept to market. Youth are encouraged to explore their creativity and build innovative solutions that add real value to the community. This includes developing skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, and adaptability. Additionally, access to resources such as technology and business advisory support allows these entrepreneurs to refine and launch ideas that improve quality of life and address local needs.
Strategic Goals for the Next Five Years
The program has set clear strategic goals to guide its efforts over the next five years. One core objective is to educate participants on various business scales-nano, micro, small, and medium enterprises-each offering distinct opportunities:
Nano Enterprises – 1-2 people with initial investments up to Rs 1 lakh. These small, self-run ventures encourage individuals to start small-scale businesses, often beginning with minimal investment.
Micro Enterprises – 1-10 people with initial investments up to Rs 1 crore. These enterprises allow for modest expansion and are designed for individuals who can work with a small team.
Small Enterprises – 11-100 people with investments up to Rs 10 crore. This level supports more structured businesses that can begin creating jobs for the community.
Medium Enterprises – 100-500 people with investments up to Rs 50 crore. This category supports larger-scale businesses that can have a broader impact on the regional economy.
Strategic Focus Areas for Sustainable Growth
The program has prioritized four primary categories to drive sustainable growth and innovation in the region:
Nano-Entrepreneurs and Collectives: Encouraging self-employment through small-scale businesses that provide a livelihood and support local markets.
New MSMEs in Focus & Sunrise Sectors: Fostering growth in future-oriented industries such as renewable energy and pharmaceuticals, leveraging the region’s potential to become a leader in these fields.
Business Acceleration of Existing Enterprises: Enabling the expansion of current MSMEs, helping them scale their operations, increase revenue, and create more jobs.
Neo-Innovative Enterprises: Supporting startups and MSMEs in emerging sectors with high growth potential, which can bring fresh ideas and technological advancements to the region.
Impact Goals: Fostering Employment and Economic Growth
The impact of the program is projected to be transformative. Over the next five years, it aims to create 1.37 lakh new enterprises in Jammu & Kashmir, resulting in approximately 4.25 lakh new job opportunities for youth across the region. The program has allocated a substantial budget of Rs 1830 crore, with additional funding from banks and financial institutions expected to exceed Rs 5000 crore. To amplify its reach and effectiveness, the program will integrate with other self-employment and entrepreneurship schemes, creating a synergistic effect that strengthens the initiative’s outcomes and enhances its reach. By focusing on innovation, skill-building, and sustainable business practices, this program aims to make Jammu & Kashmir a thriving center for entrepreneurship. With targeted support and resources, it aspires to shape a generation of empowered youth, ready to lead the region towards a resilient and sustainable economy.
(The author is a Fulbright Fellow USA & Nodal Officer Mission YUVA Higher Education Department UT of J&K.)
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