Share your story and shine at JK Monitor!🌟 Welcome to JK Monitor, where every story matters and every achievement is celebrated! We invite you to share the remarkable journey of your life and showcase your accomplishments to the world. Join our exclusive interviews that honor exceptional individuals just like you. JAMMU: The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Jammu, in collaboration with NITI Aayog and the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, organized the NITI States Workshop-An Initiative under State Support Mission on 26th March 2025 at its Jagti Campus. The workshop, themed “Promoting Innovation, Investment, and Industry in the MSME Sector,” focused on textiles, food processing, and tourism—key growth engines for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The inaugural ceremony was graced by Chief Guest Shri Manoj Sinha, Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, and Guest of Honor Shri Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary, Government of J&K. Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu, presided over the inaugural ceremony. Other dignitaries included Shri Anurag Goyal, Senior Adviser, NITI Aayog and Shri Talat Parvez Rohella, Secretary, PDMD, Government of J&K.
The day-long workshop commenced with a ceremonial welcome of the dignitaries and the lighting of the lamp, signifying the traditional Indian ethos of invoking knowledge and wisdom. Several eminent dignitaries from the Government of India, NITI Aayog, and the Government of Jammu and Kashmir were in attendance, along with entrepreneurs, academicians, industry representatives, and policymakers.
Chief Guest Shri Manoj Sinha, Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, emphasized that MSMEs serve as the backbone of a resilient economy, driving job creation, entrepreneurship, and innovation. He highlighted Jammu and Kashmir’s commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment, unlocking local industry potential, and achieving inclusive and sustainable growth. Drawing inspiration from Switzerland’s success in digital transformation, he underscored the importance of leveraging similar strategies to enhance economic self-reliance.
Acknowledging the region’s leadership in fund utilization, particularly in supporting women entrepreneurs, he commended the introduction of 16 new policies aimed at MSME development. He further stressed the revival of the silk industry, the role of artisans, and the need for digital marketing and e-commerce to strengthen branding and trade. Recognizing the immense potential in tourism, textiles, and food processing, he called for strategic interventions to boost investment-friendliness and drive industrial transformation in the region. He also highlighted the importance of skill development and capacity building to equip the youth with industry-relevant expertise, ensuring long-term economic resilience. By harnessing innovation and entrepreneurship, he reaffirmed Jammu and Kashmir’s commitment to becoming a model of sustainable economic growth.
Guest of Honor Shri Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, emphasized the government’s unwavering support for MSMEs, recognizing them as the backbone of the region’s economic growth and employment generation. He highlighted the importance of fostering a business-friendly environment through policy reforms, skill development, and sector-specific initiatives in textiles, food processing, and tourism.He lauded IIM Jammu’s role in driving innovation and capacity building through collaborative initiatives aimed at strengthening entrepreneurship and industrial growth.
Underscoring the significance of women entrepreneurs in shaping the economic landscape, he highlighted the YUVA App for start-ups as a key enabler for young entrepreneurs.Stressing J&K’s export potential in Kala Zeera, saffron, and aromatic rice, he called for robust policy support and continuous monitoring to accelerate economic growth. He also provided a detailed overview of various government schemes designed to promote industrial expansion, start-ups, and financial inclusion, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to fostering economic resilience and self-reliance in the region.
In his welcome address, Prof. B. S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu, extended a warm welcome to the NITI Aayog Workshop, expressing gratitude for the continued support. He emphasized IIM Jammu’s commitment as an Institute of National Importance to the growth and development of Jammu and Kashmir, highlighting its role in building a sustainable ecosystem and fostering innovation. He reiterated the institute’s collaborative efforts with the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, aimed at strengthening entrepreneurship and providing solutions to emerging challenges.
He emphasized the importance of bridging the gap between academia, government, and industry through such forums, ensuring that policy decisions are backed by research and industry insights. He also highlighted the YUVA scheme, launched in partnership with the Government of J&K, which aims to create 1.37 lakh new enterprises, generating approximately 4.25 lakh job opportunities for youth across the region. He called for a focused approach to making Jammu a hub of economic and entrepreneurial excellence.
Shri Anurag Goyal, Senior Adviser, NITI Aayog, underscored the transformative potential of MSMEs in textiles, food processing, and tourism for Jammu and Kashmir. He highlighted 2.11 crore tourist arrivals in 2024 and J&K’s status as India’s largest producer of wool, carpets, and shawls, stressing the need for infrastructure upgrades and artisan training.He emphasized policy support, investment, and innovation to modernize textiles, enhance market linkages, and boost food processing. Reaffirming NITI Aayog’s collaboration with IIM Jammu and Govt. of Jammu and Kashmir, he called for region-specific strategies to unlock entrepreneurial potential and drive economic growth.
Shri Talat Parvez Rohella, Secretary, PDMD, Government of J&K, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to industrial growth and public-private partnerships. He emphasized the need to align youth aspirations with MSME opportunities, identifying tourism, food processing, and textiles as key drivers of economic transformation.He described the upcoming schemes until 2030 as game changers, fostering economic resilience and bold policy innovation. He also acknowledged IIM Jammu’s collaboration in the CITAG initiative, driving a thriving ecosystem for sustainable growth, skill development, and market expansion across these sectors.
The inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Muqbil Burhan, Chairperson, Center for Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Skill Development, IIM Jammu, followed by the national anthem.
The first session on the Promotion of the Textile Sector at IIM Jammu was chaired by Prof. Umesh Rai, VC, University of Jammu, co-chaired by Anil Kumar, Director, Ministry of Textiles, GoI, and moderated by Dr. Ateeque Shaikh, Associate Professor, IIM Jammu.With diverse participants, including entrepreneurs, incubators, and local artisans, discussions centered on easing documentation, addressing subsidy delays, and streamlining procedures in the textile and handicraft industry. Entrepreneurs highlighted industry challenges, while policymakers acknowledged concerns, emphasizing verification processes and potential policy refinements to support sector growth.
The session on Promotion of Food Processing Industries at IIM Jammu was chaired by Shri Istiyaque Ahmad, Program Director, NITI Aayog, co-chaired by Prof. Pragati Kumar, VC, SMVDU Katra, and moderated by Prof. Jabir Ali, Dean Academics, IIM Jammu.The discussions focused on enhancing value addition, strengthening cold chain infrastructure, and fostering agro-based startups. Experts emphasized the need for policy execution, skill development, and market access to unlock the sector’s full potential. The session underscored collaborative efforts between industry, academia, and policymakers to drive sustainable growth in food processing.
The third session on Promotion of Tourism at IIM Jammu was chaired by Ms. Mugda Sinha, DG, Ministry of Tourism, co-chaired by Prof. Ravinder Nath, VC, Central University of Kashmir, and Prof. K. S. Chandrasekar, VC, Cluster University of Jammu, and moderated by Prof. Sanjay Gupta, Professor of Practice IIM Jammu.Discussions focused on positioning Jammu and Kashmir as a premier sustainable tourism destination through infrastructure development, eco-friendly tourism, and digital innovations. Key aspects highlighted included data-driven planning, experience-based tourism, and improved accessibility. The session underscored policy-driven strategies, local engagement, and enhanced connectivity as essential for tourism expansion and economic growth.
The workshop also featured key sessions on transformative national initiatives, focusing on policy frameworks, governance reforms, and digital empowerment. The session on ‘NITI Initiatives for State’ explored strategic interventions for regional development, while ‘Karmayogi Bharat’ emphasized competency-driven civil service reforms to enhance governance. The session on ‘ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce) highlighted the potential of a unified digital ecosystem to empower local businesses and promote inclusivity. These discussions brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and experts to drive economic growth and innovation.
The panel discussion on the ‘Roadmap of the Textile Industry in J&K’, moderated by Prof. Ateeque Shaikh, Associate Professor, IIM Jammu, featured Shri Sudershan Kumar, JKAS, MD, JKTPO; Shri Syed Afaq Qadri, Director, Quadri Textile Industries; Shri Anil Kumar, Director, Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India; and Ms. Renu Lata, Economic Advisor, Ministry of Commerce, Government of India.The discussion focused on policy support, investment opportunities, modernization of textile infrastructure, and leveraging traditional crafts to enhance competitiveness in national and global markets. Panelists emphasized industry-academia collaboration, sustainable practices, and the development of textile clusters as key drivers of economic growth in J&K. They also highlighted the need for improved infrastructure and market expansion, along with the textile sector's impact on allied industries such as handicrafts and logistics.
The panel discussion on J&K’s Food Processing RoadmapModerated by Prof. Jabir Ali, Dean Academics, IIM Jammu, brought together key industry leaders to explore growth opportunities and innovation. Prof. Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, VC, IUST, highlighted the need for capacity building and innovation-driven entrepreneurship. Shri Rahul Yadav, Mission Director, HADP & Special Secretary, Agriculture Production Dept., stressed cold storage expansion and industry collaboration. Prof. Vikas Tandon, Dean, SKUAST Jammu, emphasized optimizing raw material supply chains, while Shri MokhshakKotru, Founder & Director, VelanutritionPvt. Ltd., underscored enhancing logistics and reducing external dependence.The discussion covered policy support, infrastructure development, and AI-driven forecasting. The session concluded with an engaging Q&A, addressing key industry concerns.
Moderated by Prof. Sanjay Gupta, Professor of Practice, IIM Jammu, the panel discussion on the ‘Roadmap of the Tourism Industry in J&K’ brought together key industry leaders to explore strategies for sustainable tourism growth in the region. The panel featured Dr. Vikas Gupta, JKAS, Director, Tourism, Jammu; Dr. Rakesh Wazir, Chairman, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI); Shri Karthick Prabhu Deivendran, Vice President, Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC); and Capt. Anil Gour (Retd.), FICCI, J&K Chapter.The discussion highlighted the importance of diversification, targeted promotion, and infrastructure development as key enablers in unlocking Jammu and Kashmir’s full tourism potential. The panelists emphasized the need for public-private partnerships, enhanced digital connectivity, and policy interventions to create a year-round tourism ecosystem, ensuring sustainable growth and economic benefits for the region. Pls create caption for social media.
Dr. Muniraju S.B., Deputy Adviser, NITI Aayog, delivered the concluding remarks, expressing satisfaction with the quality of discussions and noting that the insights gathered would inform future policy strategies. The event concluded with a formal vote of thanks delivered by Shri Ankush Verma, Chief Innovation Officer (CIO), Srinagar Campus, who expressed gratitude to all dignitaries, participants, and organizing teams for making the workshop a grand success.
An exclusive exhibition by DST iTBI IIM Jammu featured 25+ entrepreneurs from Tourism, Food Technology & Textiles (Handicrafts & Handlooms), celebrating the rich culture and market potential of the region. A step towards empowering local businesses and fostering innovation. The workshop reaffirmed the collective commitment to accelerating industrial growth, innovation, and sustainable development in Jammu and Kashmir, with IIM Jammu continuing to play a pivotal role in catalysing positive change in the region.
