Creating job opportunity is our top priority: Veeri

Distributed the placement certificates to the seventy students

Jammu: 21st May 2018: (Jammu and Kshmir Screen):: 

Creating job opportunity for unemployed youth of the state is the top priority of the government. This was stated by Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj,  Abdul Rehman Veeri today while distributing the placement certificates to the seventy students who have been placed in different state and national level companies.

 These students have completed their skill training under Deen Dayal Upadhaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojna (DDU-GKY) by Surya Skill.

Veeri said that government is committed to tap all possible avenues to generate employment opportunities for the educated unemployed youth. Minister accentuated that educated youth should come forward and take benefits of the schemes and programmes initiated by government, especially, unemployed youths can take the benefits of government sponsored schemes like PMEGP, Udaan and  similar schemes.

While interacting with the students, the Minister endowed  them best wishes and hoped that after completing their training they will work to serve the society and nation as well. He also inspected the hostel, computer lab and other facilities being provided by institution to the students.

 Minister exhorted that Government has taken up many initiatives and schemes to create job opportunities so that most of the educated unemployed youths can earn living for not only themselves but also provide  jobs to the hundreds of other youths.

While highlighting major aspects of DDUGKY, Kapil Sharma COO Himayat, informed the Minister that the scheme aims to skill rural youth and provide them with jobs having regular monthly wages. It is one of the Cluster of initiatives of the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India that seeks to promote rural livelihoods. He further said that it is a part of the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) which is a mission for poverty reduction.

Vodafone has donated INR 30.5 lakh in the last 5 years

Mon, May 21, 2018 at 5:21 PM

‘Giving’ initiative to commemorate Ramzan

Srinagar: 21 May 2018: (Megha Chawla//Jammu and Kashmir Screen)::

IN ITS SIXTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR, VODAFONE’S NOBLE ‘RAMZAN’ INITIATIVE TO CONTINUE EMPOWERING UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN IN KASHMIR THROUGH EDUCATION 

• Vodafone has donated INR 30.5 lakh  in the last 5 years as a part of this year-on-year ‘giving’ initiative to commemorate Ramzan
• Under this initiative, Vodafone has partnered with Sakhawat Centre, run by Iqbal Memorial Trust, Srinagar, for sixth year running to facilitate the education of underprivileged children

Reaffirming its commitment towards the society in which it operates, Vodafone India, for a sixth year running, will celebrate the holy month of ‘Ramzan’ through its noble ‘Giving’ initiative for underprivileged children in Kashmir. The initiative aims to raise money which will be used to support the noble cause of education of these children.

Vodafone India’s ‘Giving’ gesture on ‘Ramzan’ embraces the true spirit of Ramdaan, the spirit of giving, as this thoughtful initiative by one of India’s leading telecommunications service providers gives the unmatched power of education to the underprivileged children and empowers them to grow and chase their dreams. In the last five years, Vodafone has donated INR 30.5 lakh as a part of this year-on-year ‘giving’ initiative to commemorate Ramzan.

Starting from May 17, 2018, Vodafone will donate 1 paisa for every outgoing call or recharge and Rs. 5 for every new activation in Kashmir Province during the entire month of Ramzan towards the education of underprivileged children. Vodafone will donate the funds raised by this initiative to Sakhawat Centre run by Iqbal Memorial Trust, an NGO in Srinagar, who will use it for the education of underprivileged children in Kashmir Province.

Extending Ramzan greetings to the residents of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), Arvind Nevatia, Business Head, Punjab, HP and J&K, Vodafone India said, “At Vodafone India, we strive hard to be a meaningful member of the society we operate in by contributing to its development and betterment in all possible ways. Across tiers we run different initiatives which are aimed at promoting greater good, be it helping the poor, protecting the environment or supporting women empowerment. It gives us immense joy and satisfaction that we are honouring the giving spirit of Ramzan in the best possible manner by donating towards education of underprivileged children in Kashmir. Education is the best gift which we can give to our children to empower them to grow in the right direction.”

This is the sixth consecutive year of Vodafone’s tie-up with the Sakhawat Centre for this noble cause. In the last five years of this association, Vodafone has donated INR 30.5 lakhs for this cause. “Five years ago, Vodafone and Sakhawat Centre joined hands for this noble cause and we are proud to continue this association for the sixth year as we find in them the same zeal as Vodafone to make education available and accessible to children in need. Also, like the previous five years, Vodafone will enable its customers in Kashmir to contribute to this larger social cause without putting a burden on their pockets,” added Mr Nevatia.

This ‘Giving’ gesture on ‘Ramzan’ is part of Vodafone’s “Gift-a-Smile” programme that involves various such projects throughout the year. While some of these initiatives are intended to gift smiles and happiness to those in need, others seek to bring cheers to the valued customers of Vodafone. Under the “Gift-a-Smile” programme, Vodafone had donated laptops to the Sakhawat Centre in Srinagar earlier to facilitate computer literacy among underprivileged children.

Vodafone has arranged for a short code 51786 for the initiative. Vodafone customers can now call on 51786 to get detailed information about the initiative.

About Vodafone India:

Vodafone India is a 100% fully owned subsidiary of the Vodafone Group Plc. with operations across the country serving 223 million customers (over 120 million in rural areas). Commencing operations in 2007, Vodafone is today India’s largest foreign direct investor, with a robust, award winning business and committed for the long term. Vodafone Business Services serves the needs of enterprises and government by providing total telecommunications (Voice and Data) solutions across mobility and wireline platforms. Our mobile wallet, M-Pesa is a unique and innovative money transfer service from Vodafone that fosters financial inclusion.

Committed to optimizing the near ubiquitous reach of mobile telephony to address national developmental priorities, the Vodafone Foundation partners is actively engaged in community development initiatives especially in the domains of m-Women, m-Agriculture, m-Education and Disaster Relief. Building on its global experience and expertise, an outreach across India and offering a comprehensive portfolio of technologies- 2G, 3G & 4G, Vodafone is uniquely positioned to actualize the vision of Digital India.

Flood relief operations in J&K

Proceeding to Srinagar

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel boarding Indian Air Force IL-76 aircraft  for flood relief operations in J&K, on September 07, 2014.                          (PIB photo-08-September-2014)

Carpet Industry in J&K

24-December-2012 16:14 IST
IICT Srinagar:in Pursuit of Excellence 
Feature on Textiles                                        Khursheed Wani*

Courtesy Photo

The Indian Institute of Carpet Technology Srinagar (IICT) is an ISO 9001:2008 certified autonomous institute, established by office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of textiles, Government of India and the Department of Industries & Commerce (Directorate of Handicrafts), Government of Jammu & Kashmir. The IICT, Srinagar has been set up to provide technical support and development support to the carpet industries specific to Jammu & Kashmir.

The main activities of IICT Srinagar revolve around Human Resource & Development (HRD), Research & Development(R&D), Design Creation and Development(DCD)and other Technical services to the industry. The IICT, Srinagar  is a satellite centre of Institute of Carpet technology, Bhadohi, UP. The institute commenced functioning in the year 2004-05. It is managed by an Executive Committee headed by Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce, J&K Government.

Carpet Designs & Talim Scripts

IICT has introduced a modern technique which is a locally developed Carpet Design Software, in the field of carpet designing wherein carpet designs are automatically converted into Talim Scripts (a unique Coded Pattern). The  designs herein created and developed are preserved for ever. This innovation has eased the design work enormously as it used to take months together for a group of persons comprising of Naqash (Designer), Talim Writer and a Talim Copyist  to make the carpet design of standard size and to transfer the design drafted on graph paper (outline only) into the coded pattern known as talim in the local language. With the help of this technology, one can view the complete design on the monitor of a computer before actually going for manufacture.

Modern Carpet Loom

After an extensive research for more than four years (2005-2008), the Institute conceived the design of Modern Carpet Loom, first of its kind in the entire country, and developed its one prototype. This was aimed at improving the working conditions of the carpet artisans.  The necessary testing and trial runs of this prototype were conducted at the Institute for more than two years and its working was observed on regular basis. After additional trial runs in more than 100 carpet training centres of State and Central Government were conducted to make them user friendly, these looms were approved for introduction in the carpet industry of the State.

Subsequently, Office of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India has earmarked funds to the tune of 32.0 Crores for the introduction of 8000 such looms in the carpet Industry under Mega Carpet Cluster Project as per funding pattern of 80:20 as the share of Government of India and State Government respectively which implies that Modern Carpet Loom along with the sitting bench shall be made available to the artisans free of cost.

The Institute has distributed first consignment of 500 Modern Carpet Looms in 10 districts of Kashmir division (50 looms/district) in July 2012.

Skill Up-gradation

To educate and upgrade their skill and broaden their information & Knowledge base, IICT has devised Skill Up-gradation/Orientation Training/ Design Workshop programmes for over 1700 persons comprising of Artisans, Designers, Talim Writers, Washer-men etc. This will help in manufacturing  best quality carpets as per the current market requirements which in turn will address the issue of low economic returns to the artisans.

Infrastructural Facilities

The Institute has set up Design Studio with latest digital equipments wherein 561 Carpet and 107 Kani Shawl Designs in the digital form were developed with the application of Carpet Design Software. IICT generated revenue of Rs 13.17 Lacs from the industry while providing these on nominal charges.

Library has been set up with relevant books and magazines of international repute for the reference of Industry & trade. Design Bank has been set up for the carpet craft in the digital format wherein 287 old/traditional carpet designs presently available in the form of manually written Talim paper  scripts (coded pattern) have been digitised so far. The digitised designs are preserved forever and can be recreated as per the current market requirements. Besides, Testing Laboratory for Physical and Chemical Testing of raw materials like Silk, Wool, Cotton etc., has been set up.

A detailed research study has been completed by the Institute to look for ways and means to streamline the process of carpet washing which has remained unchanged since centuries together and to standardise the use of chemicals and auxiliaries to improve the finishing of carpets.


Integrated Skill Development Scheme (ISDS)

The Institute has introduced two unique Short and Long term courses under Integrated Skill Development Scheme (ISDS) of Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. Under the programme, over four thousand persons shall be trained, over a period of five years, with the objective to develop a trained human resource for the carpet Industry in Kashmir division. Besides, it is aimed to create additional self employment opportunities for the educated unemployed youth in the Handicrafts sector by providing them requisite technical and entrepreneurial skills so that they could set up their own income generating units for the growth and development of the Carpet Industry.

Under the scheme, 4200 candidates from eight districts of Kashmir division viz Anantnag, Bandipora, Baramulla, Budgam, Ganderbal, Kulgam, Pulwama & Srinagar, shall be trained under four months Certificate Course in Carpet Manufacturing (CCCM) and 100 candidates shall be trained under One year Diploma in Carpet Technology & Entrepreneurship Development (DCTED). The scheme is in progress since January 2012.

Mega Carpet Cluster Project

A massive Skill up-gradation and Capacity Building programme under Mega Carpet Cluster project sanctioned by Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India and Industries & Commerce Department, Government of Jammu & Kashmir has recently been launched at seven different areas of district Srinagar.

Around  4000 carpet artisans of Srinagar District shall be trained over a period of three years. The objective of this programme is to educate the artisans about  quality of Raw Materials, Yarn Dyeing, Carpet Designing (Traditional/Modern), Carpet Finishing, Quality Control & its importance, Marketing & Marketing Techniques, Formation of SHG’s/ Clusters/ Cooperative Societies & their benefits and to sensitize them about the Modern Carpet Loom designed by IICT, Srinagar.

Awareness Camps

In addition, awareness sessions about the developmental schemes of various departments and organizations are organized so that artisans can avail benefits from such schemes. Awareness camps were organized at Shangus (Anantnag), Devsar (Kulgam), Reyar Khan Sahib (Budgam), and Ajas (Bandipora) for setting up of Carpet Production Centers. Around 1000 artisans and carpet weavers participated in these awareness cum interactive camps.

Study tours and field visits are also organized to broaden the horizon of their practical exposure so that artisans can assimilate changes that are taking place at the national and international level.

Studies

IICT has undertaken successful completion of study on feasibility and suitability of locally produced high quality reeled Mulberry Silk as raw material for Hand knotted Silk Carpets instead of spun silk yarn being imported from outside the State.

In order to provide legal protection and safeguard against use of registered Geographical Indication by others, the Institute is presently working on the project of “Registration of Kashmiri Hand Knotted Silk Carpets under Geographical Indication Act”.              (PIB Features.)
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*Freelance Journalist.

Disclaimer: The writer is a freelance journalist and the views expressed by the author in this feature are entirely his own and do not necessarily reflect the views of PIB.SS-213/SF-213/24-12-2012RTS/HSN

8th J&K Science Congress at Kashmir University

Vice President Inaugurates in Srinagar

The Vice President, Shri Mohd. Hamid Ansari addressing at the 8th J&K Science Congress, at Kashmir University, in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir on September 17, 2012. (PIB)

The Vice President, Shri Mohd. Hamid Ansari releasing a publication, brought out by the Centre of Central Asian Studies, University of Kashmir, in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir on September 17, 2012. The Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Shri N.N. Vohra is also seen. (PIB)

The Vice President, Shri Mohd. Hamid Ansari presented the J&K Young Scientist award-2010 to the Young Researcher, at the 8th J&K Science Congress, at Kashmir University, in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir on September 17, 2012. The Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Shri N.N. Vohra and the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Shri Omar Abdullah are also seen.(PIB)

The Vice President of India Shri M. Hamid Ansari has said that in order to emerge as an effective knowledge power for the welfare of people, stronger capabilities and a more integrated view of Science and technology is required. This, besides enhanced financial support, would need more effective mechanisms to catch and encourage talent. Delivering inaugural address at the “8th J&K Science Congress” at Kashmir University in Srinagar (Jammu & Kashmir) today, he has said that Inspiration and Creation of role models would be easier if the barriers between teaching and research are lowered if not eliminated altogether by senior and eminent teachers making it a point to teach undergraduate classes.

He said that an essential concomitant would be a new culture of research, greater autonomy and sufficient freedom of dissent. “A successful researcher”, said an eminent scientist, “really marches to the tune of his own drum”.  The challenge then is three fold: to catch young talent inclined to pursue science studies, to nurture it, and to motivate it sufficiently to remain attached to the domain of science to become the next generation of teachers and researchers.   

Shri  Ansari said that  research is one aspect of the matter, development leading to technological innovation is another. When the two come together, the objective of socially relevant innovation is achieved. This, in turn, contributes in varying measures to the production of economically relevant public goods. Innovation thus becomes an index of progress and development.

He said that the State of Jammu and Kashmir faces great many challenges in the area of S&T Education and Research infrastructure. Most of these can be addressed by the adoption and implementation of various schemes of Govt. of India aimed to attract students towards science subjects. Similarly, various Doctoral and Post Doctoral fellowships to promote the interest in Research can be availed of. Furthermore, the special packages announced for S&T Sector in Jammu and Kashmir from time to time have to be implemented in letter and spirit to give fillip to the development of scientific temper among youth of this region. This is a moral obligation apart from being a functional one.

    He opined that Vocational training has to be linked to employability and therefore to different segments of local economy. Acquiring excellence in traditional crafts results in value addition. Similarly, training in service skills needed by the tourism sector could add considerably to employment generation. 

    The Vice President said that while each researcher ploughs the field individually, he or she should also be aware of, and benefit from, what is being done elsewhere in that branch of knowledge. Modern communication techniques have made this much easier. It is said that internationally, one-fifth of research papers are co-authored; this percentage should be higher in national terms.


Following is the text of the Vice President’s inaugural address :

“I am delighted to be back in Srinagar and in the midst of so many scientific minds of our country who have gathered here for the 8th JK Science Congress. It is commendable that such a state-level conference has been held regularly since 2005. The theme of the conference: “Science, Technology and Regional Development: Opportunities & Challenges” is relevant to our times in local, national and global terms.
This audience knows well that modern India’s romance with science and technology commenced in the early days of our independence. Its foundations were laid by the Science Policy Resolution of 1958 and the Technology Policy Statement of 1963. While the first aimed at fostering science and scientific research and ensuring adequate availability of research scientists, the second aimed at self reliance and maximum use of indigenous resources.

As a result of these and other initiatives, significant progress was made in higher education in science and technology, in the establishment of industrial research laboratories and in fields like atomic energy, space, agriculture, drugs and pharmaceuticals. 

Experience of three decades also revealed, in the words of a competent observer, “the distance between the rhetoric of self reliance and the actual level of technological development and innovation in Indian industry”. Further adjustments in policy were therefore made in 1993 and 2003 to respond to new requirements of our economy in the light of changed and changing national and global conditions.

Despite these efforts, and as Prime Minster Manmohan Singh pointed out earlier this year in the 99th session of the Indian Science Congress, our relative position in the world of science has declined and our total R&D spending at the current level stands at 0.9 percent of GDP. The objective, he added, is to take it to 2 percent by the end of the XII Plan. To pursue this objective, a new science policy is in the offing. 

And yet, as Lord Blackett warned a long time back, “science is no magic wand to wave over a poor country to make it a rich one”. He emphasized the importance of the whole innovation chain and the creation of effective networks involving academia, government and business to promote innovation.

It is thus evident that in order to emerge as an effective knowledge power for the welfare of people, stronger capabilities and a more integrated view of Science and technology is required. This, besides enhanced financial support, would need more effective mechanisms to catch and encourage talent. Inspiration and creation of role models would be easier if the barriers between teaching and research are lowered if not eliminated altogether by senior and eminent teachers making it a point to teach undergraduate classes.

An essential concomitant would be a new culture of research, greater autonomy and sufficient freedom of dissent. “A successful researcher”, said an eminent scientist, “really marches to the tune of his own drum”.

The challenge then is three fold: to catch young talent inclined to pursue science studies, to nurture it, and to motivate it sufficiently to remain attached to the domain of science to become the next generation of teachers and researchers.   

Research is one aspect of the matter, development leading to technological innovation is another. When the two come together, the objective of socially relevant innovation is achieved. This, in turn, contributes in varying measures to the production of economically relevant public goods. Innovation thus becomes an index of progress and development.

Some institutional push to encourage innovation in our society has emanated from The National Innovation Foundation – India since its inception in the year 2000. The results remain modest as is evident from the number of patents registered. More therefore needs to be done. This problem was addressed by the National Knowledge Commission and I would like to cite for your consideration a passage from its 2007 Report: Innovation in India:

          The most important external barrier to Innovation, as perceived by both  large firms and SMEs is skill shortage, due to lack of emphasis on creativity, problem-solving, design, experimentation etc in the education curricula. In order to unleash India’s Innovation potential, an  essential  step   is systematic reform of the higher education system in India which would act as an enabler for developing the required intellectual capital as well as in laying the foundation for effective collaboration between industry and educational institutions. It could be argued that Innovation,Education(including Vocational Education) and Entrepreneurship are three ends of a triangle, each of which is related to the other.

The Report went on to say that another external barrier is the lack of effective collaboration between industry and research conducted in universities and R&D institutions.   

The same holds for vocational training and skills development and its potential for employment opportunities. There is room here for huge expansion which should, it is important to remember, be demand-driven and quality-driven. Some of this is underway through various government and private sector schemes. A sharper focus on these would have wider benefits. Given the demographic advantage of a young population, and the ageing population profile of European and East Asian countries, there is clear case of benefiting from a comparative cost advantage in the foreseeable future.  

A discourse in conceptual terms on wider national perceptions is one aspect of the matter. This Conference has a focus on the State of Jammu and Kashmir and should, rightly, seek a transition from the macrocosm to microcosm and focus on the developmental challenges it faces.

A set of questions readily come to mind:

·         What policies and practices would further the development of science and technology in institutions of higher learning in the State?

·              How best can the triangle of Education (including Vocational Education), Innovation and Entrepreneurship be made operational or given an incentive?

·              What steps should be taken to focus initiatives on local conditions and local economy? 

The State of Jammu and Kashmir, I am given to understand, faces great many challenges in the area of S&T Education and Research infrastructure. Most of these can be addressed by the adoption and implementation of various schemes of Govt. of India aimed to attract students towards science subjects. Similarly, various Doctoral and Post Doctoral fellowships to promote the interest in Research can be availed of. Furthermore, the special packages announced for S&T Sector in Jammu and Kashmir from time to time have to be implemented in letter and spirit to give fillip to the development of scientific temper among youth of this region. This is a moral obligation apart from being a functional one.

    Vocational training has to be linked to employability and therefore to different segments of local economy. Acquiring excellence in traditional crafts results in value addition. Similarly, training in service skills needed by the tourism sector could add considerably to employment generation. 

Given the geographical contours of the State, the focus of scientific and technological research and innovation should, logically, emanate from the requirements of hydroelectric power generation, rail and road infrastructure, protection of bio-diversity of flora and fauna, Himalayan Glaciology, ecological study of lakes and rivers and marine science.

Agricultural research is an area of critical importance. It includes horticulture, forests, sericulture, fisheries, animal husbandry and allied fields. It is pivotal to the economy of J&K as it contributes more than 50 percent to the net domestic product of the State and is the main source of livelihood for around 80 percent of the population. Over 80 percent of net sown area is of food crops and only 42 percent of the area is under irrigation.

A large number of people are dependent on cattle rearing and sheep breeding. The productivity in this sector, however, is low and the State depends on imports of animal products. Facilities for processing of wool are virtually non-existent.

A good percentage of people are connected directly or indirectly with the horticulture sector in the state. Yet, productivity is low and the sector suffers from low investment, disadvantage of location, poor infrastructure and the presence of many layers of intermediation.

In each of these areas, there are ample opportunities for the scientific community to extend help in realizing aspirations of the region in areas like harnessing of hydro electrical potential, better road / rail connectivity, extreme engineering, preservation of biodiversity, issues of health care, food security, accurate weather prediction, agricultural innovation, maintenance of ecology and environment which have a bearing on the regional development.

Food security too is an area of regional concern which needs scientific efforts for improvements. Better weather forecasting is one of the critical aspects for agricultural management. Biotechnology along with information technology has emerged as a core area of economic development particularly on issues relating to food security. There is scope for implementation of the biotechnological techniques and tools for better crop yield for securing improvements in horticulture which is the backbone of the State economy.

Medical institutions in the State have earned a good reputation. Some of this talent should in greater measure be devoted to research related to the health profile of population.

One last thought. While each researcher ploughs the field individually, he or she should also be aware of, and benefit from, what is being done elsewhere in that branch of knowledge. Modern communication techniques have made this much easier. It is said that internationally, one-fifth of research papers are co-authored; this percentage should be higher in national terms. I am sure universities in J&K are conforming to this pattern and encouraging it.

I am confident that this Conference will discuss the role of science and technology in developmental process of the State and come up with the measures to respond to challenges that lie ahead. It should identify measures to eradicate the bottlenecks which hamper the application of scientific knowledge and technological support for the betterment of society.

The time has come, ladies and gentlemen, to give a fresh impetus and dignity to science and technology for catering to the needs and aspirations of this important State of the Union of India.  I do hope that the young minds present here will return to their laboratories and class rooms re-energized to do good work in science and to do it for public good.”(PIB) 
                                                                         17-September-2012 12:54 IST 
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Electric rickshaws

A new effort for economically backward women 

The Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Dr. Farooq Abdullah at the launch of the programme to provide environment friendly electric rickshaws to economically backward women, in New Delhi on September 06, 2012.  (PIB Photo)  06-September-2012

“R&D Conclave

The Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Dr. Farooq Abdullah delivering the inaugural address at the “R&D Conclave on New & Renewable Energy Prospects for Cross cutting Technologies”, in New Delhi on August 09, 2012. (PIB photo)   09-August-2012