Srinagar, Aug 08: Jammu and Kashmir Civil Society Forum (J&KCSF) chairman Abdul Qayoom Wani today expressed grave concern over the growing unemployment among the youth of Jammu & Kashmir, and said it has emerged as a serious social and economic challenge that demands immediate attention.
In a statement issued, JKCSF Chairman Abdul Qayoom Wani said that thousands of educated, skilled and qualified young men and women are spending the most productive years of their lives waiting for limited government employment opportunities.
He said the government recruitment remains an important avenue, it cannot absorb the ever-growing number of educated youth. The mindset that a government job is the only source of dignity, stability and social respect must therefore change.
Private employment, entrepreneurship, agriculture, horticulture, tourism, handicrafts, technology, freelancing, skilled trades and small businesses can provide equally dignified and sustainable livelihoods, he said.
Wani said there is a dire need to address the growing culture of inactivity among unemployed youth. Instead of spending years preparing for examinations or waiting for government engagement, young people must be encouraged to acquire new skills, undertake vocational training and explore opportunities in emerging sectors such as information technology, artificial intelligence, digital marketing, e-commerce and online services.
At the same time, career counselling must become an integral part of our educational system. Schools, colleges, universities, employment departments, civil society organisations and community institutions should guide young people about changing employment trends and help them make realistic and informed career choices. Parents, too, must encourage their children to pursue skills, entrepreneurship and private employment rather than measuring success only through government employment, he said.
Wani said that J&K Civil Society Forum will organise a seminar involving all stakeholders to discuss on this serious issue pertaining to our future generation so that joint strategy is formulated to help our youth to come out from this serious challenge.
He said unemployment also has wider consequences for families and society, including financial dependence, delayed marriages, frustration, loss of confidence and growing social problems. The loss is therefore not merely economic; it is a loss of human potential.
The youth of Jammu & Kashmir possess immense talent, intelligence and creativity. What they need is proper guidance, skill development, opportunities and a change in social attitude towards work, he said and added, every year spent waiting is a year that cannot be recovered.Waiting should never become a career. It is time to replace dependency with productivity, skills, entrepreneurship and self-reliance.
Wani said that future of Jammu & Kashmir depends substantially on how effectively we utilise the energy and potential of our young generation. All stakeholders must come together to ensure that our youth are not merely waiting for opportunities, but are empowered to create them.
