Director, Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI), Ajaz Ahmad Bhat (IAS) interacted with aspiring women entrepreneurs and students of Government Degree College for Women at JKEDI’s Centre for Women Entrepreneurship (CWE). In an effort to attract more women to choose entrepreneurship as a career choice and encourage enterprising women entrepreneurs, he also felicitated three successful women entrepreneurs with a commendation certificate.
The felicitated entrepreneurs include Anam Siraj, owner of a renowned fashion label of Srinagar-closet cloud, Sumaira Shafi, a preschool owner from Budgam district andMaisara Maqbool, owner of a distribution agency from Ganderbal district. These entrepreneurs have been supported by JKEDI under various schemes. The visit to Centre is a part of the ongoing efforts of Director, JKEDI to reach out to women and inspire them to take up entrepreneurship as a career choice. The Director also informed the audience that such programs will continue and will be organized in all the districts of J&K.
During the past few months, the Director has held interactions with youth across the length and breadth of the Union Territory of J&K. These interactions are also significant because the Institute is planning to come up with various programs and initiatives for the youth of the UT. The Department of Industries and Commerce is in the process of revising the Startup Policy 2018. This is in order to make it more inclusive and friendly for the startups from J&K and envisions creating 3000 startups in five years.
“I am always eager to meet the youth who are interested in taking up entrepreneurship as a career option. It is a known fact that women have proven to be successful entrepreneurs and there are a number of examples across the country and in our UT. I want them to explore various Government initiatives and schemes available to aspiring entrepreneurs.
Innovation and technology has revolutionised the Startup scene of our country. I want women of J&K to choose their business activities very carefully after proper market survey and should not stick to traditional activities with limited market,” said Director, JKEDI. We will also try to arrange mentorship programs for Startups where they can take informed decisions about funding, investments and technology adoption to realise their aspirations, he added.
The program was attended by Nusrath Sayeed, Head of the Department, Botany, GDC for Women, In Charge, Centre for Women Entrepreneurship, Srinagar, District Nodal Officer, Srinagar and faculty members from JKEDI were also present on the occasion.
