‘MSMEs important sources of employment in Kashmir’

Srinagar, March 24: The leadership of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar has emphasized the importance of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in creating jobs in Kashmir.

A weeklong awareness effort to educate Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) about the Design Innovation initiative and Udyam registration drive ended on Saturday.The IIED Centre of NIT Srinagar organized the program, which was supported by the Ministry of MSME, New Delhi.

At Ganderbal, Zakura, and Zainakote Industrial Clusters in Kashmir, awareness programs were held on March 19, 21, and 23. A session was also conducted off-campus at IIM Srinagar.

Saheel Alaqband Assistant Director MSME, Srinagar and Dr Dinesh Kumar Rajendran, Assistant Professor Mechanical, Nodal Officer for MSME Design & IPR Scheme are the program’s convenors, while Dr Noor Zaman Khan and Dr Ved Parkash are the event’s coordinators.

Director NIT Srinagar Prof. A Ravinder Nath and Registrar Prof. Prof. Atikur Rehman stated MSMEs are the main employers in Kashmir valley and are helping India expand, especially in emerging towns like Srinagar with few large-scale businesses.

“The region needs such industries, and NIT Srinagar is committed to using its resources for the Indian Economy,” he added.

Tawseef Ahmad from Govt. Polytechnic College Gnaderbal welcomed the President of Ganderbal Handicraft Cluster and other industrialists to the program.

He thanked Dr. Saad Parvez, Head IIEDC, and Dr. Dinesh Kumar Rajendran, Jammu and Kashmir MSME awareness program Nodal officer.

Kashmir willow, after English willow, is the greatest in the world, according to President Ganderbal Willow Wicker cluster.

Ganderbal, India and Kashmir’s willow wicker bowl, employs around 5000 craftspeople. Since demand for handcrafted goods is higher, technological involvement will boost this business.

Dr. Saad Parvez described MSMEs’ artisan and design and incubation plan development efforts, the cluster registration procedure, and NIT Srinagar’s technology participation.

He also worked with the government polytechnic institution to support craftspeople.

Burhan Co-founder of Kilab in Zakura Industrial Estate supported Kashmir’s emerging businesses and crafts.

He also demonstrated design business employing engraved and virtual design development tools. We all strived to improve Kashmir via creativity and entrepreneurship, Burhan said.

Dr. Azra Mufti from IIM Jammu (Srinagar Off campus) highlighted IIM’s skill development and MSME initiatives during the Zainakote industrial cluster program session.

She stated that we are willing to help valley entrepreneurs improve our nation, whether it is NIT, IIT, or IIM. She wants trained entrepreneurs.

Dr. Dinesh Kumar Rajendran educated businessmen on MSME Design Scheme.

He stated that the two components of the project may get up to 40 lakhs to build and improve enterprises in partnership with educational institutions.

Dr. Rajendran said this Ministry of MSME initiative would enhance Kashmir’s built Industrial Estates.

He noted that working with top universities like NIT Srinagar on Industrial Design would benefit the society and bridge the industry-institute divide.

He taught the industrialist how to solve industrial problems using Design Thinking.

Dr. Ved Prakash Sharma, the program coordinator, gave the official vote of gratitude and concluded that the two-week series of workshops in Jammu and Kashmir Industrial cluster was fantastic.

We have nurtured design thinking in industry and are eager to cooperate with them via our students. I hope for improved teamwork for future,” Dr. Sharma said.