Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 9: Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences, and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, officially launched an Industrial Training Program focused on Leather Goods Manufacturing aimed at women entrepreneurs from Jammu & Kashmir.
This initiative is designed to empower women by providing them with opportunities for skill development within the leather industry. The program is being conducted by the CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Jammu, with financial backing from Central Electronics Limited (CEL). It forms part of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts of CEL, who have commissioned the project titled “Employability to Women Through Skill Development and Entrepreneur Support in Manufacturing & Designing of Leather Goods and Garments” to CSIR-IIIM, Jammu.
During his address, Dr. Singh emphasized the collaborative nature of this groundbreaking initiative, which brings together three organizations: CSIR-IIIM, CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute (CSIR-CLRI), and CEL, with the goal of enhancing the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Dr. Singh also praised the government’s policies under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and acknowledged the vital role of CEL in funding this initiative that aims to enhance the employability of women. He highlighted that CSIR-CLRI, an internationally recognized institution, will provide training at its satellite center in Jalandhar. This initiative, driven by CSIR-IIIM, is expected to significantly empower women in Jammu & Kashmir and support startups registered under the Atal Innovation Centre at CSIR-IIIM.
The Union Minister underscored the significance of skill development in fostering sustainable livelihoods, pointing out that the Jammu & Kashmir region holds immense potential in the leather goods market due to its availability of raw materials, traditional craftsmanship, and increasing demand for high-quality handmade leather products. Effective training in this field can substantially impact economic growth and create job opportunities, particularly for unemployed women.
Earlier, Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director of CSIR-IIIM, welcomed Dr. Singh and detailed the training program’s comprehensive structure, which covers various aspects of leather goods manufacturing, including design, production, and marketing. The aim is to provide participants with the skills necessary to start their own businesses. Over the upcoming week, participants will engage in hands-on training led by industry experts at CSIR-CLRI, Jalandhar, focusing on modern techniques to enhance their market competitiveness.
Dr. Ahmed further emphasized the importance of leveraging scientific research and innovation to foster entrepreneurship and support local talent. This program is anticipated to generate new opportunities in the leather sector and significantly contribute to the region’s economic development.
The training initiative was organized under the leadership of Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director of CSIR-IIIM, Jammu, and Chairman of the Atal Incubation Centre. The event was attended by various officials from CSIR-IIIM, including Er. Abdul Rahim, Head of Branch Srinagar & Vice-Chairman of the Atal Incubation Centre, Dr. Saurabh Saran, Principal Scientist and PI at the Atal Incubation Centre, and Dr. Shahid Jibran, CEO of the Atal Incubation Centre.
