SRINAGAR: A six month training program on design and manufacture of leather goods and garments was inaugurated at CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine branch Srinagar. Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director CSIR-IIIM, inaugurated the “Employability to Women through Skill Development and Entrepreneur Support in Manufacturing & Designing of Leather Goods and Garments” programme which is supported by Central Electronics Limited (CEL) through its CSR initiative.

Under the program, 10 trainees shall be provided training for 6 months with a monthly stipend of ₹5000. The training will be imparted at the leather training centre of CSIR – IIIM, Srinagar which is equipped with high-end machinery and facilities required for the course. The programme includes comprehensive theory and practical classes for manufacturing leather goods and garments like pouches, jackets, sling bags etc.

While speaking on the occasion, Director CSIR-IIIM said that the leather training programme is a part of CSIR-IIIM’s initiative in the area of Leather technology which would be pivotal to support the local economy and generate livelihoods for many others. He hoped that the trainees would setup innovative startups and impart their learnings to others after the completion of the program.

He further added that the institute has also established an Atal Incubation Centre which is focused in the areas like leather training, medicinal mushroom cultivation, value addition of essential oils, fermentation-based products etc., keeping in view the richness of natural resources and available expertise, so as to provide ideal incubation support to the local budding innovators. Dr. Zabeer also expressed his gratitude to Dr N. Kalaiselvi, Director General CSIR and Secretary DSIR and Chetan Prakash Jain, CMD Central Electronics Limited (CEL) for supporting this important initiative for the umemployed women of Kashmir.

Dr. Syed Muzamil Ahmad, Principal Scientist & Deputy Head, CSIR – IIIM (Br.) Srinagar, informed that further training programs of two months duration will be conducted subsequently. He thanked Director CSIR-IIIM for his constant endeavour to impart employable skills to the local people of J&K and become self-sufficient. The technical support for the programme would be provided by Syed Abdul Basit Andrabi, Coordinator AIC-IIIM.

Your voice can reach the world: At JK Monitor, we firmly believe that every well-researched idea has the power to inspire change beyond geographical boundaries. We are delighted to share an encouraging message from one of our esteemed contributors, Dr. Rakesh Verma (J&K Forest Services). “His article, ‘When Trees Become Rights-Bearing Citizens: A Lesson from Canada for India’s Ecological Future,’ published on JK Monitor, received appreciation from La Compagnie des Papillons Bleus, the French non-profit organisation that founded and promotes the Universal Declaration of Tree Rights.”.  Read the message here
In loving memory of Dr. Priya Ranjan: A mentor who treated me like family
A Profound Loss: JK Monitor Mourns the Passing of Founding Chairman Dr. Priya Ranjan

We at JK Monitor are profoundly saddened by the sudden demise of our Founding Chairman, Dr. Priya Ranjan.IN LOVING MEMORY Dr Priya Ranjan

A brilliant mind who studied at Netarhat Residential School and graduated in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur before earning his PhD from the University of Maryland, Dr. Ranjan chose to return to India and dedicate his life to teaching, research and social good.

His pioneering work in networked systems, AI, robotics and biomedical applications—especially computer-vision tools for early detection of cancer and heart disease—reflected his deep belief that advanced technology must serve humanity.

For more than 15 years at JK Monitor, he remained a loyal friend, mentor and collaborator, marked by rare humility, intellectual integrity and quiet generosity. His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. Priya, you will be deeply missed. Your life continues to remind us that knowledge finds its highest purpose in the service of others.

— Team JK Monitor

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