Central University of Kashmir (CUKashmir) organized a programme to disseminate among various stakeholders the outcome of the research study on Jammu & Kashmir Rural Livelihood Mission under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojna : Evaluation of UMEED and Startup Village Entrepreneurship Programme sponsored by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) at varsity’s Green Campus here on Thursday. The study has been conducted in all the blocks of district Ganderbal Kashmir.
The event brought together policymakers, financial institutions, academicians and the representatives from civil society to discuss the impact and future direction of these initiatives.
While inaugurating the event, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. A Ravinder Nath, emphasized the transformative potential of the Startup Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP) in fostering rural sustainable livelihood generation. “The ongoing evaluation of UMEED-SVEP in Ganderbal has yielded valuable insights into its successes, challenges, and areas needing further refinement. These findings provide a solid foundation for future policy enhancements and stakeholder collaboration,” he stated.
Delivering the presentation, Project Director and Dean, School of Business Studies, Prof. Fayaz Ahmad Nika, highlighted the socio-economic empowerment of rural women as one of the programme’s most significant achievements. “Through UMEED-SVEP, many Self-Help Group (SHG) members have evolved into successful entrepreneurs, enhancing their financial independence and societal standing. The increase in income levels has translated into better education and healthcare access for their families,” he noted.
Prof. Nikka also underscored the pivotal role of financial institutions in enabling rural entrepreneurship. “While banks and microfinance institutions have been instrumental in providing credit access, the debt servicing by the beneficiaries still remains a challenge. Simplified lending mechanisms and enhanced financial literacy are essential to overcome these barriers,” he added. He thanked the ICSSR, University administration and the J&K Mission Directorate for extending support and cooperation in making the study objective and result oriented.
Former Dean, University of Kashmir, Prof. Nissar Ali, urged graduates to shift their focus from job seeking to job creation. “In an era of rising unemployment, self-reliance through entrepreneurship is the way forward. By leveraging their skills and creativity, young graduates can generate employment and contribute meaningfully to economic growth,” he remarked.