Mega Awareness/Employment Mela held at Shopian

SHOPIAN : In order to provide a platform to people, especially youth, aspiring to take self-employment ventures for their economic upliftment, the District Administration Shopian today organised a mega awareness cum employment mela at Government Degree College (GDC) Shopian.
All departments providing self-employment avenues and service based departments along with business entrepreneurs, farmers and others had set up stalls showcasing their products and services besides generating awareness on their respective schemes for self-employment.
The awareness of different government schemes for livelihood and employment was targeted specially with on spot registration of beneficiaries and potential entrepreneurs.
The mela was inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Shopian, Mohammad Shahid Saleem Dar with participation of more than 5000 youth. Around 1000 registrations of youth for different schemes was done on spot by Departments.
The DC inspected stalls set up by different departments including service and employment based, development based, community led, financial institutions, Agri companies, local progressive farmers and business establishments.
He interacted with staff and successful entrepreneurs on their employment ventures, and sought their feedback on schemes and their benefits.
People were seen visiting the counters and stalls to get themselves acquainted with new practices, schemes and business opportunities.
The mela also provided a platform to business establishments and farmers to sell their produce and products, which received massive public response.
Established entrepreneurs and farmers who spoke on the occasion briefed the DC about their successful businesses.
On the occasion, the DC handed over sanction letters of Reefer Vans to three beneficiaries under AIF, keys of commercial vehicles to two beneficiaries under Mumkin scheme, sanction letters of PMEGP to two beneficiaries, only to mention a few events of the distribution function.
Shahid besides highlighting the objective of organising the camp, called upon people especially youth seeking employment to take maximum benefit of such events. He asked them to register for various self-employment schemes and ventures into manufacturing/service and other business for their livelihood generation.
Success stories of the entrepreneurs, who guided youth, added flavor to the event. A youth narrated how he started his business enterprise with Rs 10 lac loan and has now a turnover of 1.40 crore annually.
Another youth entrepreneur shared that he started with 20 lac loan at the initiation of his self-employment venture, and has a turnover of 1.80 Crore annually.
A girl farmer who started a sheep farm with 50 sheeps last year has doubled the count this year, thanks to the intervention and support of the government scheme. Another women entrepreneur mentioned her success in composite farming, on which her family earns annual profit of around Rs 30 lac.
ADDC, Dr. Nasir Ahmad Lone spearheaded the smooth organisation of the Mega Event and remained present at the occasion. Heads of all departments were also present on the occasion besides a mammoth gathering of people and students.