In a significant push to promote youth entrepreneurship in north Kashmir, the Kupwara district administration in collaboration with the Lead District Bank on July 18 distributed sanction letters to 42 young beneficiaries under the Mission YUVA scheme.
The distribution ceremony, held at the Lead Bank Office in Kupwara, saw enthusiastic participation from aspiring entrepreneurs, officials, and banking representatives.
Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) Mufti Fareed ud Din presided over the event as the chief guest.
Addressing the gathering, the ADDC highlighted the transformative potential of schemes like Mission YUVA in reducing unemployment and fostering self-reliance among the youth.
“This is not just financial assistance, it’s an investment in your dreams. Use every rupee wisely and channel it directly into your business ventures,” he told the beneficiaries, urging them to commit fully to their entrepreneurial goals.
He also assured full support from both the district administration and J&K Bank, promising timely resolution of any issues faced by the beneficiaries in accessing or utilizing the funds.
Lead District Manager (LDM) Tariq Ahmad Jan emphasized that the initiative marked a pivotal moment in Kupwara’s mission for youth empowerment and financial inclusion.
“You are the first batch of beneficiaries under this scheme. Set an example for others—build thriving businesses and become job creators,” he said.
Cluster Head Abdul Majid Bhat echoed similar sentiments, calling on the young entrepreneurs to handle their ventures with seriousness and accountability.
“The government has shown trust in your capabilities. It’s time to turn this support into success,” he said.
As part of the scheme’s handholding mechanism, the beneficiaries will also undergo short-term training at RSETI Kupwara to sharpen their business management and operational skills.
The event concluded with emotional moments as many beneficiaries, who had travelled from remote corners of the district, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the government for enabling them to dream bigger.
Several shared plans of launching ventures in the Micro and Small Enterprises (MSE) sector and hoped to not only support their families but also generate employment for others.
Mission YUVA is a flagship scheme aimed at creating sustainable self-employment opportunities for the youth through a combination of financial support, mentorship, and skills training.
