SRINAGAR: Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, Naba Hira Kumar Sarania, on Wednesday inaugurated the Kashmir Entrepreneurship Conclave at the University of Kashmir, a mega event organised jointly by the varsity’s Centre for Women’s Studies and Research (CWSR) and Indian Chamber of Commerce for SC, ST and Women Entrepreneurs.
Addressing a large gathering of academics and students at the inaugural session, Shri Sarania urged young students to script their future career paths with decisive decisions at critical junctures of their careers.
“If you have will, you can achieve anything in life,” he said, impressing upon the students to avail benefits of various entrepreneurship schemes and programmes to make a strong footprint on their career paths.
Sarania also shared his personal experiences leading to his becoming a Member of Parliament with the students and complimented the University of Kashmir for hosting the Kashmir Entrepreneurship Conclave.
Vice-Chancellor, KU, Prof Nilofer Khan, who was a guest of honour, highlighted various initiatives taken by the University to create a strong ecosystem for innovations and entrepreneurship, as envisaged under the National Education Policy-2020. She said the University is in the process of finalising its MoU with IIT, Kanpur, on imparting necessary skills sets to the students to lead their journey towards entrepreneurship.
The VC also congratulated the organisers for holding the programme, which, she said, will further encourage young students to opt for entrepreneurship as their career goal.
KU Registrar, Dr Nisar A Mir, said the University aims to reach out to the underprivileged sections of society by way of extension education programmes and this mission will continue with collaborative initiatives like the present one.
In his introductory address, Subir Paul, National President, Indian Chamber of Commerce for SC, ST and Women Entrepreneurs said Kashmir has lots of opportunities and potential for entrepreneurship and “our Chamber wants Kashmir to remain on top of the country’s entrepreneurship map.”
He said the Chamber is working relentlessly to raise awareness about different entrepreneurship schemes launched by the Government of India for SC, ST and Women Entrepreneurs so that they reap their maximum benefits.
He urged young students to not chase jobs and instead become job-creators for others.
Hema Ekka, General Secretary, Indian Chamber of Commerce for SC, ST and Women Entrepreneurship said they are trying their best to promote women entrepreneurs so that they get their due identity and recognition.
“If they will get a platform and identity, they can go a long way in creating a niche for themselves,” she said.
She said the Chamber will create a platform where women entrepreneurs can showcase their entrepreneurial units at the national and international level.
Dr Roshan Ara, Coordinator CWSR, gave a detailed account of the programme sessions and its objectives, while Dr Shazia Malik delivered the vote of thanks.