Youth is not only a precious asset for any country but has a commendable role to play in the overall development of the country or region same holds true for Jammu & Kashmir. Jammu & Kashmir is bestowed with a predominantly young population with about 69% of the population below the age of 35 years (Source: Statistics Times) it will not be wrong to say that Jammu & Kashmir's economy is youth-driven. Understanding the importance and role of youth, and addressing the issues confronting youth has always remained on top of the agenda of every government. Mission youth is one such ambitious programme initiated by the government of Jammu & Kashmir to engage and empower youth in J &K through systematic interventions in the domains of Livelihood Generation, Education/Skill Development, Cognitive Psycho-Social Counselling, Systematic Financial Assistance, and Sports & Recreation. The mission aims to facilitate youth to channelize energies and abilities in a positive direction to become ambassadors of Peace, Prosperity & Socio-Economic growth.

Mission youth is not only a slogan but a revolutionary step aiming at effectively supporting and encouraging young individuals in the age group of 15-25 years in fulfilling their future aspirations to the best of their potential simultaneously addressing their needs and concerns. It is a holistic youth outreach programme wider in its parameters and deeper in its contours it tries to address issues across different dimensions related to youth ranging from earning of livelihood to mental peace and from physical fitness to recreation. Let us get acquainted with the schemes under Mission youth through which a respectable livelihood can be earned:

Mumkin Scheme

It is a livelihood scheme introduced by the government of Jammu & Kashmir under the umbrella of Mission Youth to facilitate unemployed youth to procure small commercial vehicles on a subsidized basis to earn a sustainable livelihood in the transport sector. This scheme is being operated digitally to ensure its implementation in a fast and completely transparent manner. Under this scheme, special financial assistance is given to unemployed youth to acquire a commercial vehicle of their choice.

Spurring Entrepreneurship Initiative

The principal theme of this scheme is “Youth Enterprise with Innovation (You WiN)” it is launched to encourage young entrepreneurs’ especially young women towards innovations in various business enterprises. Under this scheme financial assistance is provided to the youth of the Union territory of Jammu & Kashmir in the age group of 18-40 years having a minimum qualification of 12th standard or above for thinking out of the box and establishing business units on an innovative basis. The objective of this scheme is to encourage job creation through innovation in the business sector.

Tejaswani

The Radiant

This scheme was announced by the Hon’ble LG of Jammu & Kashmir on the occasion of Women’s Day to promote entrepreneurship among young women. Under this scheme financial assistance to the tune of Rs 5 Lakh is given to young women in the age group of between 18 to 35 years having a qualification of 10th standard or above for setting gainful self-employment business units, suited to their skills, training, personal ability, and local conditions. This scheme is a commendable initiative toward women's empowerment.

Sahyta Program

Under the umbrella of Mission Youth the government of Jammu & Kashmir has rolled out a special financial assistance program for the youth in distress. Financial assistance of Rs 2.00 lakhs is provided to the youth in distress for setting up units to earn livelihood and generate employment opportunities for others. Under this scheme “youth in distress” mean any person between the age of 18 to 40 years who has lost any next of kin/family member in insurgency-related action, cross-border shelling, or mine blast incident in Jammu and Kashmir and shall include any such person who or his/her family member has suffered permanent incapacitation in such incidents.

Young Innovators Program

Under this initiative Mission Youth aims to empower the youth of J&K to innovate new products, services, or models in any area of their interest like art, craft, literature, science, etc. the attempt is to facilitate promising innovators to display their special talent and excel in their areas of interest by providing them institutional support and financial assistance. The financial assistance under this scheme is given to the youth in the age group of 18-35 years qualifying 10th standard or above but should be enthusiastic to think out of the box and offer not only innovative ideas but also bring them into the market so that these new ideas will have a remarkable impact on the life of people.
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Rise Together

This is one more specially designed livelihood generation scheme under Mission Youth. The prime focus of the Rise Together Scheme is to promote community-based entrepreneurship desirable to generate jobs and income and to promote the spirit of social service among new-age young entrepreneurs of Jammu & Kashmir.

Skill Development

Mission youth is in touch with prominent organizations in the country for working on upgrading the skills of the youth in the sectors having high potential for employment like Banking & Financial Services, Artificial Intelligence, Digital Marketing, Media Management, Forensic Accounting, etc. This initiative aims to train youth as per the latest requirements of the job market so that the gap between the demand and the supply of skilled workforce can be met and also a strong environment can be created for professional and technical skill development in Jammu & Kashmir.
Mission youth is a youth-friendly initiative taken by the government of Jammu & Kashmir that must be appreciated as its focus is to empower, engage youth and channel their talent and energies in a positive direction. Mission Youth will be only successful if Youth will come forward and take advantage of such initiatives for the betterment of self as well as the betterment of society. So the youth of Jammu & Kashmir must come forward and become part of this revolutionary platform and avail the benefits being provided under Mission Youth Programme.

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