Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, July 28

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday urged young people to pursue skills, innovation and entrepreneurship, saying they should see themselves not merely as job seekers but as contributors to India’s future.

Addressing the 77th state-level mega job fair at Amar Singh College in Srinagar, Sinha said such initiatives could help connect young people’s aspirations with opportunities while strengthening links between education and industry.

“You are not merely job-seekers. You are the makers of India’s future,” Sinha told the gathering.

He said the job fair was intended to promote meaningful employment, strengthen industry-academia partnerships, align skills with digital and technical requirements and simplify recruitment through direct hiring and on-the-spot interviews.

The initiative also aimed to encourage entrepreneurship and develop a workforce equipped for the changing demands of the economy, he said.

Sinha urged young people to follow three principles: “never make dreams small, never stop learning, and always embrace innovation.”

He said colleges and universities needed to prepare students for life beyond examinations by providing practical skills and confidence alongside academic qualifications.

“Education should not be confined to classrooms. It must prepare every student to begin life’s journey with confidence, skills, and practical understanding,” he said.

Sinha called on industry representatives to become recruiters, mentors and partners in developing the region’s workforce.

He said unemployment could not be addressed through government recruitment alone because public-sector vacancies were limited.

Instead, he identified three priorities: matching skills with industry requirements, expanding private-sector employment through micro, small and medium enterprises, and strengthening the transition from college to work through internships, mentorship and career guidance.

Sinha also highlighted growing interest in entrepreneurship among young people and cited Jammu and Kashmir’s performance under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme in 2021-22.

He expressed confidence that the region could develop a stronger identity in innovation, startups and modern industries.

“Let us resolve that this 77th mega job fair will mark the beginning of a new chapter in the employment history of J&K,” he said.