Srinagar: As part of its Mission Youth initiative, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has decided to set up multiple district youth centres (DYCs) to provide a medium to engage with young people for government outreach programmes.
These DYCs are being set up as part of “interventions” in six key areas under the Mission Youth initiative — livelihood generation, education/skill development, counselling (psycho-social and career), systematic financial assistance, sports and recreation — for which the government is also working with reputed corporate houses of India, including Reliance Foundation, Ashok Leyland, and the Tata group.
Reliance has shown interest in setting up sports leagues in the union territory, while the Tata Group has decided to invest in the IT and education sectors, said a senior J&K administration official who didn’t wish to be named. Ashok Leyland, according to officials, has already begun its work with the J&K government.
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First of its kind initiative, affable environment
The DYCs will address several of the aforementioned six areas, the official added.
Senior government officials said the DYC is a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at providing an “affable environment” for youth aged between 18 and 35, who can visit the facility for education, social and recreational purposes.
“It is a first-of-its-kind initiative to help the youth of J&K actualise their immense potential. The intent is to become a facilitator in the realisation of their dreams & aspirations. Systemic initiatives will be implemented to enable them to become the engine of socio economic growth and development,” said Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, chief executive officer, Mission Youth.
“Mission Youth J&K will work towards providing an enabling environment for the youth in the designated six areas of intervention. We have identified deliverables and are working hard to achieve tangible outcomes for the youth of J&K,” said Shah.
These centres would provide facilities like libraries, amphitheatres, auditoriums, creative studios, discussion rooms, skill labs and recreation rooms.
“It will not be a typical office type structure; rather it will be a facility for the youth and by the youth. They will serve more like clubs for youth. Once completed, the space will be overseen by the youth themselves. Of course, the administration will always be there to provide a helping hand,” said another senior government official who didn’t wish to be identified.
Experts from various fields are also expected to join the initiative and serve as “mentors” for youth coming to the centre, besides offering professional counselling.
Expansion to all districts
According to J&K officials, the aim is to establish DYCs in all districts of the union territory. However, the action plan will be executed in a phased manner, with 12 districts forming the first phase, six each in both divisions of J&K.
Officials also said “reputed names in the corporate world” have begun work with the J&K government on each of the focus areas.
“The government of J&K has partnered with reputed institutions/organisations of the country including BSE Institute, ICICI Foundation and Ashok Leyland, and is starting skill development courses in various upcoming high employability sectors like banking, financial services and insurance,” said a third official requesting anonymity. This official added that the Mumbai-based Piramal foundation is also working on education-related issues with the administration.
“Besides, two Centres of Excellence in automobile sector at two locations, one each in Kashmir and Jammu region, are being started. Through this, a significant number of youth shall be provided with market-driven skill development training and systematic facilitation for starting their professional careers,” the third official said.
“The strategy is to reach and engage about 80 per cent of the young population of Jammu and Kashmir within the next five years,” he added.
Ashok Leyland’s Chief Operating Officer Nitin Seth said it is involved in three initiatives aimed at “helping the youth of the region”.
“Ashok Leyland and Hinduja Group are participating in three main initiatives. First, light motor vehicles at subsidised rates so that the youth can earn their daily wages. This is part of Project Mumkin, under which the J&K government is providing Rs 80,000 to 2,000 youth and we are also contributing the same amount so that a youth can purchase the vehicle and get its ownership,” said Seth.
“One vehicle will provide employment to five persons, so not only employment will be provided to 10,000 people associated with the vehicle, but also the same number of families will be supported. Secondly, we plan to absorb some schools in J&K and impact education, and lastly we are also reviving ITIs,” Seth added.
ThePrint also approached Reliance and Tata, but spokespersons for both companies declined to comment.
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Are the locals being trained to become gladiators already ? Wherefore shall the lions be imported. To keep the people engaged with gore, what a brilliant idea !