UDHAMPUR: The District Centre Jammu & Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) today started a 6-day (30-hour) Management Development Programme (MDP) for MSMEs units here under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) scheme at JKEDI Udhampur today. The programme was formally inaugurated by the Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) Rajinder Singh.
Supported by the World Bank, the RAMP scheme is a flagship initiative aimed at strengthening the capabilities and performance of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across the Union Territory. The scheme focuses on enhancing market access, technology adoption, financial inclusion, and capacity building, while promoting greater synergy between central and UT-level institutions for the development of the MSME sector.
The training programme witnessed the participation of 20 local MSME units. The initiative will provide entrepreneurs with practical insights into business management, operational efficiency, and institutional support mechanisms. Participants will also benefit from interactive sessions with domain experts and officials from relevant departments.
Assistant Director, Mrs. Priyanka Gupta (JKAS) and DNO, JKEDI Sh. Yash Paul Sharma and other Officials from line department were present at the inauguration function. The MDP under the RAMP scheme is a strategic step towards building a self-reliant MSME ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir, aligning with JKEDI’s mission to bridge the developmental gap between UT-based enterprises and their national counterparts.
RAMBAN: Deputy Commissioner Baseer-Ul-Haq Chaudhary today stressed the need for making collective efforts to create an enabling atmosphere where youth can explore their potential and realise their dreams. He was addressing youth at a vibrant cultural program organized by JAMMUthreesixty's 'Artsar'—a collective of multidisciplinary artists—at A Pinne Cone Sanasar to celebrate World art Day.
The event celebrated diverse artistic expressions and cultural heritage and was also attended by ADC Varunjeet Singh Charak, ACD Shrinath Suman, Xen PWD Abhishek Mahajan, Tehsildar Batote Vijay Sharma, BDO Batote, and officials from the Tourism and allied departments. The program was held under the supervision of founder of JAMMUthreesixty,Vivek Mahajan.
The DC appreciated the efforts of organizers for uniting young artists and welcomed leveraging platforms like Artsar to promote local talent in fields like painting, poetry, singing, writing, and photography. He encouraged all stakeholders to support creative expression as a tool for youth engagement and cultural revival.
Later, the DC also presided over the valedictory function of the Mountaineering Training Program organized by the Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering and Winter Sports, which saw participation from students from across the country. He lauded the spirit of adventure among the youth and distributed certificates and medals to the participants for their outstanding performances. He also underlined the importance of initiatives like Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan and urged the youth to focus on holistic personality development.
During his visit to Sanasar, the Deputy Commissioner also inspected the tulip Garden, interacted with tourists, and took feedback on local amenities. Additionally, the DC visited the construction site of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV), Sanasar and inspected the pace of ongoing construction work. He issued on-the-spot directions to resolve public grievances and instructed the concerned officials to expedite the progress of this important educational project.
JAMMU: The University of Jammu has taken a significant digital leap toward research empowerment with the launch of 'Shodh Sahayak,' a pioneering mobile application that stands as a testament to the institution’s unwavering commitment to advancing its research ecosystem. The initiative was envisioned by the esteemed Vice Chancellor Prof. Umesh Rai with the aim of developing a system that enables faculty members to access all necessary information on a single platform.
Designed to provide faculty members with seamless access to funding opportunities, the app was unveiled by Vice Chancellor Prof. Umesh Rai and is poised to streamline the process of securing research grants while fostering a culture of academic excellence. This transformative initiative underscores the university’s dedication to innovation and its proactive role in empowering its academic community.
The development of 'Shodh Sahayak' is a remarkable achievement stemming from the university’s Design Your Degree initiative. The app was crafted by a talented team of students—Adil Mahajan, Tavishi Amla, and Pawandeep Singh—whose creativity and technical skills have produced a tool of immense value. Their efforts were bolstered by the technical support of Mr. Mohsin Hassan & Mr. Abhay Khajuria, under the expert mentorship of Dr. Jatinder Manhas, Associate Director, Skill Incubation Innovation Entrepreneurship Development Centre (SIIEDC) and Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science & IT. Further enhancing the app’s capabilities, Dr. Guneet Singh Sudan, Director, Centre for IT Enabled Services, provided critical technological infrastructure and support, ensuring a robust and user-friendly platform.
'Shodh Sahayak' is meticulously curated to serve the diverse needs of the University of Jammu’s academic community. It offers a comprehensive repository of funding proposals, grants, fellowships, and collaborative research opportunities, consolidating essential resources into a single, accessible platform. The app features an intuitive interface with dynamic functionalities, including real-time updates, a personalized dashboard, and plans for a future AI-powered chatbot to provide user support. This innovative design positions 'Shodh Sahayak' as a first-of-its-kind research funding companion, empowering faculty to navigate the complexities of research funding with ease and efficiency.
The ceremonial launch event drew a distinguished audience of senior faculty members, researchers, students, and media personnel, all of whom expressed enthusiasm for the app’s potential to democratize access to research funding. In his address, Vice Chancellor Prof. Umesh Rai praised the initiative as a reflection of the National Education Policy’s emphasis on multidisciplinary learning, innovation, and self-reliance. He commended the student developers for their dedication and ingenuity, noting that 'Shodh Sahayak' represents a significant step toward enhancing the university’s research capabilities and fostering academic relevance.
The success of this endeavour is a result of the unwavering support and encouragement from key university figures Dr. Neeraj Sharma, Registrar, University of Jammu, Prof. Neelu Rohmetra, Dean Research Studies, University of Jammu and Prof. Alka Sharma, Director, Skill Incubation Innovation Entrepreneurship Development Centre (SIIEDC), played instrumental roles in championing the project. Furthermore Prof. K.S. Charak, Dr. Ginni Dogra, Prof. Anil Gupta, Prof. Sadaf Shah, Dr. Sandeep Arya, Dr. Harish Chander Dutt, Dr. Chinmoyee Maharana, Dr. Sunil Bhaugal, Dr. Ripu Daman, Dr. Sandeep Singh, and Dr. Pallavi Sachdeva were present during the launch of the ‘Shodh Sahayak’.
As 'Shodh Sahayak' takes its first steps into the hands of the academic community, it promises to become an indispensable digital companion for faculty members. By simplifying the research funding process and encouraging proactive inquiry, the app is set to inspire a new era of collaboration, innovation, and academic excellence at the University of Jammu. This launch marks not only a technological milestone but also a bold statement of the university’s vision for a future where research empowerment drives progress and discovery.
AWANTIPORA: A high-level meeting was convened today between the Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) and the Director of School Education, Kashmir (DSEK), to chart out a robust Outreach Programme aimed at enhancing foundational and advanced learning in Mathematics, Physics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Disruptive Technologies, and Skilling at the school level.
The focus of the discussions was the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, and the deliberations emphasized several critical areas, including teacher training and peer collaboration, hands-on learning experiences, student internships, community-based development initiatives, Olympiad preparation, and the development of customized experimental setups. The integration of vocational training, coding, and digital tools into school curricula was also highlighted as essential to fostering employability and innovation among students from an early age.
Prof. Shakil A Romshoo, Vice Chancellor IUST emphasized the university’s commitment to making the programme sustainable. “For this initiative to have a lasting impact, we must invest in the continuous capacity building of schoolteachers and ensure that our engagement leads to scalable models of learning. Our goal is to build a vibrant and inclusive learning ecosystem that benefits both students and educators,” he said.
The meeting witnessed comprehensive presentations by the Heads of Departments of Mathematics and Physics, Coordinator of the Centre for Artificial Intelligence, and Coordinator for Skilling Initiatives. Each speaker outlined core focus areas, innovative outreach strategies, and potential collaborations with schools to nurture curiosity, spark innovation, and strengthen student engagement in both foundational disciplines and future-oriented technologies. The Director of School Education, Kashmir, extended full institutional support and proposed the formation of a joint task force comprising representatives from IUST, the School Education Department, and other stakeholders.
PULWAMA: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday inaugurated the 50 meter-long vital Rohmoo Bridge in Pulwama district, connecting the three districts of Shopian, Kulgam, and Pulwama with the capital city Srinagar. The bridge, constructed at a cost of Rs 25.97 crore by the Public Works (Roads and Buildings) Department under the World Bank-funded Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP), connects over 80,000 residents of several villages including Rahmoo, Mitrigam, Pakherpora, Zagigam, Putrigam, Tujan, Mirgund, Thokerpora, Tilsar, Char-e-Sharief, Yusmarg, Kamrazipora and adjoining areas of Pulwama district.
Addressing a large public gathering on the occasion, the Chief Minister stated that with the commissioning of the Rohmoo Bridge, a long-pending demand of a large population in South Kashmir has been fulfilled. The Chief Minister expressed hope that the bridge will significantly boost connectivity from South Kashmir to Srinagar, particularly to Charar-i-Sharief, Pakharpora and other areas of Budgam District.
Reaffirming his government’s commitment, the Chief Minister said, “We will leave no stone unturned in fulfilling the promises and commitments made to the people during elections.” Underscoring the importance of Statehood, the Chief Minister said, “Statehood is not our destination but a prerequisite to start the process of reclaiming what the people have lost in the last six to seven years,” adding that the people’s mandate was for restoring their dignity and protecting their identity.
He also highlighted various initiatives and welfare measures undertaken during the last six months of his government. The Chief Minister further added that the Rohmoo Bridge holds significant importance as it connects several villages in Pulwama with key historical sites in Budgam district, such as Pakherpora and Charar-i-Sharief, which attract numerous devotees from across Kashmir.
The bridge was severely damaged during the devastating floods of September 2014. He expressed hope that the Rohmoo Bridge would serve as a vital link, promoting development and bringing much-needed relief to the local population. Local public representatives and residents expressed their gratitude to the Chief Minister for addressing their long-standing demand, which will now provide greater convenience and accessibility.
The Deputy Chief Minister, in his speech, highlighted the various significant initiatives and public welfare measures of the present dispensation led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Jammu and Kashmir. Advisor to the Chief Minister and local public representatives also addressed the gathering.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Rajpora Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Mir, DDC Chairman Pulwama Syed Baari Andrabi, MLA Pampore Hasnain Masoodi, DDC members, Deputy Commissioner Pulwama and other senior officers were present on the occasion.
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