PHD Chamber conclave to promote entrepreneurship in J&K

Often in news for wrong reasons and doubly marred with imported terrorism of the worst kind, the ‘paradise of the earth’ is getting ready to express its hidden potential. Thanks to the vent presented by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, misguided youths in particular and society of the State of Jammu and Kashmir in general can visualise the ray of hope sneaking in. 

The premier business conglomerate of the country is all set to organise two-day State conclave at pristine and picturesque Gulmarg on April 28-29. Importantly, the conclave is the first of its kind taking place at State level.

“We decided to go to Kashmir with a delegation of business people to break the jinx continuing for decades. Though all are aware about the potential of business and entrepreneurship of the State filled with labourious and skilled people but the exposure was missing altogether.

The conclave would bring the potential to the fore and provide a stage for the youths sitting idle in huge numbers to advance to the mainstream,” said Anil Khaitan, national president of the PHD Chamber.

The conclave is going to be an amalgamation, first of this kind, of nearly 30 entrepreneurs representing 18 States, including Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand.

During the two-day stay areas likely to be promoted would be explored in the larger interest and wellbeing of the locals.

“See, we want the State to come back into mainstream of the development with other parts of the country and the effort is to assist the Government and the society into that. There is no lacking in the sense of local law and order situation, entrepreneurial skill, manpower.

Literacy in the State is as high as 92 per cent. What is needed is just a kind of confidence given to them,” added Khaitan, underlining the importance of the State for the country that cannot be let alone or overlooked anymore.

The Chamber before heading to Jammu and Kashmir has also chalked out plans aimed to tap areas like horticulture, food processing, floriculture, handicraft, tourism along with new avenues in the form of information technology and others.

“Large number of unemployed youths need work in their hands otherwise what would they do? We have already submitted 15-point suggestion to the Chief Minister (Mehbooba Mufti) and getting encouraging support from the State Government. Basically, mere investment from outside would not do all the goods for the State but strengthening local industry along with building amicable atmosphere for business in the valley is more important,” added the Chamber president.

State Chapters of the PHD Chamber are also looking forward to the conclave in order to tap the potential available over there and to decongest the connect of the politically-troubled region to the rest of the country.

“More misinformation than good reaches to us about the Jammu and Kashmir. The conclave would help in removing most of such misconceptions. Terrorism is a different aspect but lower local crime rate reported is a positive thing from the business point of view.

We have been told that the State is as safe as other parts of the country and this is good news,” said Pawan Bajaj, president of PHDCCI’s Jharkhand chapter.

Besides engaging entrepreneurs, the Chamber also eyes to play a bridge between the State and the Centre in order to mitigate issues at hand.

“Engagement of local unemployed youths needed to be settled at Government level. Promotion of Startups and skill development are the areas the Governments should be looking at sincerely.

The conclave would apprise the Government about all this as its conclusive report.

Together we can help the peace loving, hardworking and intelligent people of the State in coming out of the precarious situation and flourish,” added Khaitan.