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KUPWARA: In a significant step towards promoting local entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihood generation, the district administration Kupwara today launched the weeklong ‘Aakanksha Haat’ under the Aspirational District Programme (ADP) of NITI Aayog at Sumo Stand Regipora, Kupwara. The initiative was inaugurated by MLA Kupwara, Mir Mohammad Fayaz and witnessed the presence of Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Ayushi Sudan.
It is worth mentioning that ‘Aakanksha Haat’ is part of the national campaign for ‘Vocal for Local’. Besides, Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Chief Planning Officer, Lead District Manager, Tehsildar Kupwara, district officers, local artisans, women entrepreneurs, and representatives from various departments and civil society organizations also participated in the day-long ‘Aakanksha Haat’.
Speaking on the occasion, MLA Kupwara welcomed the initiative of conducting ‘Aakanksha Haat’ by district administration Kupwara. He appealed to the people to take active part in the weeklong Haat and support the local artisans and entrepreneurs which shall boost the livelihood opportunities for the unemployed youth in the district.
Deputy Commissioner in her address said that the aim of organizing the ‘Aakanksha Haat’ is to promote local artisans, Self Help Groups, Farmers and different entrepreneurs by providing them marketing opportunities to sell their products and services. She appealed to people to come in large numbers and participate in the Haat to support the local entrepreneurs and artisans by buying their products.
The ‘Aakanksha Haat’ initiative is designed to provide a structured platform for local producers, artisans, self-help groups (SHGs), and women-led enterprises to showcase and market their products. Through this convergence, the Haat aims to deliver sustainable market access, national-level branding, and integration with e-commerce frameworks, thereby scaling up the visibility and viability of local products.
As part of the Aspirational Districts & Blocks Programme, the event also brings together multiple departments, institutions, and producer collectives, facilitating a multi-sectoral approach to economic empowerment. Departments including Handicrafts, Handlooms, Rural Development, Agriculture, Horticulture, Fisheries, ICDS and Social Welfare have set up stalls and exhibits to demonstrate government support schemes and the socio-economic potential of indigenous skills and entrepreneurship.
The platform will not only serve as a marketing and exhibition space but also offer capacity-building workshops, skill demonstrations, buyer-seller meets, and digital literacy sessions aimed at boosting competitiveness and innovation among local producers. The Haat will remain open to the public for a week, and residents are encouraged to visit, support local entrepreneurs, and experience the richness of Kupwara’s cultural and economic landscape.
