Jammu, Feb 16: In a major initiative to promote holistic student development, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo chaired a high-level meeting unveiling the Union Territory’s integrated Youth Engagement Drive, spearheaded by the School Education and Culture Departments.

The program aims to engage over 80,000 students annually through school platforms, cultural institutions, and national-level exchanges, fostering experiential learning, cultural preservation, and talent development across J&K.
Attendees included the Principal Secretary, Culture; Commissioner Secretaries of Youth Services & Sports and School Education; Secretary, Culture; Managing Director of Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan; and officials from the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages.
Chief Secretary Dulloo emphasized that co-curricular and cultural activities are as crucial as academics for shaping well-rounded individuals and called for inter-departmental coordination, structured implementation, and continuous monitoring.
Under the plan, School Cultural Clubs will be established in 2,530 government schools, engaging 63,000 students. District Cultural Committees and Tehsil Cultural Clubs will ensure local outreach, organizing workshops, exhibitions, and heritage visits.
A flagship initiative, “One District – One Traditional Art Form,” will revive 27 district-specific art forms through a year-long Guru-Shishya model. Additionally, 200 Nukkad Natak (street plays) will address social issues like drug abuse, mental health, gender sensitivity, and civic responsibility, involving nearly 4,000 youth artists.
Annual Youth Cultural Summits in Jammu and Srinagar will offer platforms for national-level cultural exchange, while a two-year Diploma in Calligraphy in collaboration with the University of Kashmir provides structured training in classical scripts with stipends.
The School Education Department will also launch “Display Your Talent – Excellence in Culture, Sports, Education & Learning”, reaching 24,000 schools across 20 districts. Activities follow a five-tier progression by age, from storytelling and rhymes for younger students to coding competitions, policy parliament simulations, and pro-league sports for secondary students.
An inclusive ‘Samarth’ Framework ensures participation of children with special needs through Braille support, sign language, inclusive sports, and tactile arts.
The integrated initiative positions J&K as a hub of educational and cultural excellence, equipping youth with creativity, confidence, and character to drive a progressive future.