Entrepreneurship development is one of the central agendas of the Modi government. From the viewpoint of future employment needs and to combat unemployment, India intends to develop more employment generators rather than employment seekers. One of the most significant initiatives includes the Startup India movement. The initiative has encouraged budding entrepreneurs, many of whom have benefitted from the scheme and started their entrepreneurial journey.
But what about entrepreneurship in Kashmir? The region, which was transformed into two union territories in 2019, hopes to foster infrastructural and entrepreneurial development. It isn’t that Kashmir didn’t have entrepreneurs before the abrogation of Article 370. However, now that the region is likely to receive investments worth 35,000 crores, it is necessary to develop and promote entrepreneurship in J&K at a broader scale to leverage the opportunities.
(Investment Stats Source – https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/investments-in-jammu-and-kashmir-expected-to-reach-rs-35-000-crore-by-december-lt-governor-manoj-sinha-2613146)
Nevertheless, on the one hand, where the UTs offer enormous scope for entrepreneurial development, on the other hand, there exist several challenges that may pose roadblocks. Let us look at both through this blog.
Entrepreneurship Development Opportunities in Jammu and Kashmir
The relatively untapped potential of Jammu and Kashmir holds an enormous amount of promise when it comes to entrepreneurship. Although few in numbers, some examples of youth entrepreneurship have strongly demonstrated what Kashmiri youngsters could do as entrepreneurs when determined to succeed. Many have established businesses that have helped generate employment across the valley. Challenges such as terror threats and weather concerns couldn’t stop them. They’ve overcome every challenge and emerged successfully.
However, while some are motivated, some need encouragement. This encouragement could be in the form of entrepreneurial training and making them realize their inherent entrepreneurial potential, the benefits of starting a business in Kashmir, and their innate potential as an entrepreneur. Accordingly, some entrepreneurial development opportunities in Jammu and Kashmir include,
- Increasing Awareness about Entrepreneurship and its Potential Advantages
One of the first things to do is increase awareness about entrepreneurship and help the valley’s residents understand its potential advantages. Many Kashmiri families yet live with a conventional approach that restricts them to doing what they’ve been doing for years or finding a stable job in or outside Kashmir.
Of course, they aren’t paranoid about entrepreneurship. For years, Kashmir has been struggling with geo-political and socio-political issues. Instabilities stemming from these issues have compelled many to flee the region and settle in other states. In situations like these, entrepreneurship refers to potential financial instability and struggles amidst an uncertain environment.
Nevertheless, considering the investments about to flow into the region, entrepreneurship poses an opportunity to earn wealth for the otherwise economically poor Kashmiri families. Risks and challenges are deemed to be there. But then, that doesn’t mean stepping back or not giving entrepreneurship a try!
- Setting up Entrepreneurship Development Centers
This is another exigent need. Setting up entrepreneurship development centers is something the central government may do in collaboration with local authorities and influential institutions and people. Entrepreneurship development centers can include professional courses across various business domains, prepare aspirants for entrepreneurial challenges, and, most importantly, develop the approach to becoming a successful business person.
The idea should be to create visionary entrepreneurs who can succeed and sustain amidst uncertainties and challenges and who can generate employment to bring economic prosperity to the region.
- Mission Youth Program Launched by Union Home Minister Amit Shah
The journey to entrepreneurship begins by engaging the youth. Accordingly, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has launched the Mission Youth program. Under the program, about 4200 youth clubs have been established across the valley. It aims to engage the youth and drive them away from militancy. A significant number of these clubs have been established in the Anantnag, Baramulla, and Kupwara districts of Kashmir.
The club members, who will be below or up to 35 years of age, will shoulder responsibilities such as spreading awareness among youngsters and countering false propaganda.
- Including Entrepreneurship Studies in College
Catch them young! The phrase, which has become extremely popular lately, refers to molding people from a young age to achieve a particular objective. Accordingly, the need of the hour for Kashmir is developing simple yet effective entrepreneurial training programs meant to train college students and include them in the regular course curriculum. It will entrench the spirit of entrepreneurship in students while studying in college. Although not all, many may step out with a solid plan for entrepreneurship and start their journey after preparing for it.
Entrepreneurship Development Challenges in Jammu and Kashmir
The already challenging task of developing entrepreneurship becomes even more complicated when dealing with a region like J&K. The area has its unique social and infrastructural challenges when it comes to entrepreneurship. Let’s look at some of the most significant ones.
- Lack of Infrastructure
For years, Kashmir has been struggling with infrastructural challenges. Some of the most common ones include lack of adequate transportation infrastructure, communication interruptions, and frequent power cuts. Besides, the perpetual threat resulting from terror attacks in various regions is another factor that always haunts a Kashmiri entrepreneur.
Besides, weather issues, especially during winters, pose several mobility challenges, especially for manufacturing companies required to transport large goods. Although there have been several recent developments and the situation continues to improve through the development of physical infrastructure, a lot of it is yet to be achieved.
- Lack of Awareness
Many across the valley have never been exposed to modern-day concepts such as entrepreneurship. They still live within the conventional confinements of life and encourage posterity to replicate the same approach.
This one’s pretty related to the above point. However, suppose an individual plans to leave a comfortable and secure job and opts to start a business, he is likely to have a hard time convincing his family members. This holds true, especially when there’s no entrepreneurial history in the family. On the other hand, families want their children to settle, earn money through regular salary, and buy a spacious apartment and a car. They do not want them to struggle with entrepreneurial instability, insecurity, uncertainties, and struggles.
- Infrastructural Challenges
Operating in Kashmir isn’t as straightforward. In many places, the environment is somewhat unconducive on the infrastructural front. For instance, roadblocks during harsh weather have always been common. Accordingly, the central government has already started taking steps. It is setting examples through the currently under-construction Zojila Tunnel and the Atal Tunnel that connects Leh-Manali. However, there’s a lot to be achieved.
Conclusion
No one has a magic stick that will resolve Kashmir’s entrepreneurial development challenges in the blink of an eye. The way it has taken years for the government to make strategic and socially beneficial decisions for the UTs, the road to dealing with these challenges will be equally stony. Nevertheless, the government can undoubtedly expedite entrepreneurial development through local support and positive response.
So, let’s hope for a positive change that will help many Kashmiris emerge as entrepreneurs and help the region establish its prominence on the global entrepreneurial map.
