BARAMULLA: In a significant push towards youth empowerment and self-employment, district administration Baramulla, through the District Employment & Counselling Centre (DE&CC), in collaboration with the North Campus, University of Kashmir, Delina, organised a one-day Potential Entrepreneurship Mela under the Mission YUVA initiative.

Held at the University Campus, the event witnessed enthusiastic participation from over 600 individuals, including 450 aspiring entrepreneurs from across the district.

The mela was chaired by Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) Baramulla, Gh Rasool Mir and attended by key stakeholders including Assistant Director Employment, Rahil Amin, Director North Campus KU, Nodal Officer JKEDI, Functional Manager DIC, Career Counselling Officer and Employment Officer besides large number of youth.

During the event, ADDC interacted with participants and visited departmental stalls, encouraging youth to take full advantage of the self-employment schemes being implemented across the district. He reaffirmed the administration's commitment to building a robust ecosystem for youth-led enterprise development.

A major highlight of the programme was the sharing of success stories by local entrepreneurs, who offered valuable insights into their journeys, challenges, and experiences in navigating various government schemes. These motivational sessions served as a source of inspiration for the young participants.

Addressing the gathering, Assistant Director Employment revealed that the district has received 296 applications under Mission YUVA, showcasing growing interest among youth in entrepreneurship. He also appreciated the role of field teams in guiding and supporting applicants.

The event also featured active participation from Self-Help Group (SHG) members, Yuva Doots, and representatives from SBDU and BHD. All departments running self-employment schemes had set up informative stalls, offering counselling and registration support on the spot.

Mela provided an engaging platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to connect with government officials, gain scheme awareness, and learn directly from successful business owners. The initiative marked a meaningful stride in empowering the youth of Baramulla towards self-reliant and sustainable livelihoods.