DC Budgam highlights role of Design, Innovation, and Craft Revival in Youth Empowerment

BUDGAM : The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) Srinagar today held its Convocation Ceremony for the graduating batch of 2021–2025 at the institute’s campus auditorium.
The event marked a significant milestone for students from the departments of Fashion Design, Fashion Communication, and Master’s in Fashion Management, who gathered with faculty members, parents, and dignitaries to celebrate the culmination of their academic journey.
The ceremony was graced by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Budgam, Dr. Bilal Mohi-ud-Din Bhat, as the Guest of Honour, who inaugurated the event by lighting the ceremonial lamp.
Addressing the gathering, the DC congratulated the graduating students and lauded the faculty for nurturing creative talent and professional excellence. He emphasized that NIFT Srinagar has emerged as a symbol of innovation and creativity in Jammu and Kashmir, bridging the gap between heritage and modernity.
He said that Institutions like NIFT play a vital role in empowering youth by channelizing their creativity into productive, sustainable careers. He said that the integration of local craftsmanship with modern design sensibilities not only enhances employability but also helps preserve our invaluable cultural heritage.
The DC further remarked that the global fashion landscape today demands a balance between sustainability, authenticity, and innovation, and encouraged students to be ambassadors of ethical fashion and conscious design.
He added that the institute’s initiatives to revive and reimagine traditional crafts, such as Kashmiri embroidery, Pashmina weaving and papier-mache reflect how design can be a driver of economic growth and social empowerment.
The DC also highlighted the importance of linking education with entrepreneurship, urging students to explore local opportunities and contribute to the “Vocal for Local” vision by building brands rooted in regional identity. He further said that education from NIFT gives you the power to transform ideas into reality.
He urged all graduating students to think globally, act locally, and uphold integrity, creativity, and social responsibility in whatever you do.
He also commended the faculty and administration of NIFT Srinagar for their efforts in making the institute a centre of excellence in design and innovation, and assured full support from the district administration for initiatives that promote skill development and entrepreneurship in the creative sectors.
Director, NIFT Srinagar, Dr. (Prof.) Monica Gupta, presented the Academic Report of the institute. She outlined NIFT Srinagar’s achievements, including strong placement outcomes, student-led initiatives, and its growing contribution to the local creative economy.
She also highlighted NIFT’s unique role in linking traditional Kashmiri crafts with contemporary design education, through its craft cluster initiatives and collaborative projects with artisans.
Guest speaker Manish Sondhi, an accomplished entrepreneur and NIFT alumnus, shared his professional journey and insights on evolving trends in the fashion industry. He encouraged the graduates to remain adaptable, curious, and resilient in a rapidly changing creative economy.
On the occasion, Dean (Academics), NIFT, Prof. (Dr.) Nupur Anand, administered the Graduation Pledge to the outgoing students, reaffirming their commitment to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, innovation, and ethical conduct.
Later, the Award Distribution ceremony was held, recognising meritorious students for academic excellence and outstanding achievements. Degrees were conferred upon graduates from the Master’s in Fashion Management (MFM), Fashion Communication (FC), and Fashion Design (FD) programmes.
The ceremony ended on a celebratory note as proud graduates, along with their mentors and families, marked the beginning of a new chapter in their professional journeys carrying forward NIFT Srinagar’s legacy of creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation.