Nagrota, Mar 08: Economic upliftment is the prime way to uplift women in society said Devyani Rana, MLA Nagrota while inaugurating the Entrepreneurship Mela at the Common Facility Centre (CFC), Panjgrian in Block Nagrota, under the flagship initiative Mission YUVA.
“Women are the backbone of our rural economy, and their participation in entrepreneurship is key to building a self-reliant and prosperous society and Mission YUVA is creating new avenues for our youth and women to transform their ideas into sustainable enterprises,” she said.
The event brought together Self Help Groups (SHGs), aspiring entrepreneurs, youth, and representatives from various government departments on a single platform to promote entrepreneurship, innovation, and livelihood opportunities in the region.
The mela witnessed enthusiastic participation from several women-led Self Help Groups and local entrepreneurs, who set up stalls showcasing a wide range of locally produced items including handicrafts, homemade food products, organic produce, and other small-scale enterprise initiatives. These stalls not only highlighted the entrepreneurial potential of rural women but also served as a platform for networking, market exposure, and exchange of ideas.
During the programme, MLA Nagrota Devyani Rana distributed Jammu & Kashmir Bank (J&K Bank) loan sanction letters amounting to ₹70 lakh to women beneficiaries from different areas of Nagrota constituency under Mission YUVA. The financial assistance is expected to help these women start or expand their small enterprises and improve their economic stability.
Marking the spirit of International Women’s Day, while interacting with SHG members, entrepreneurs, and youth participants, Devyani Rana appreciated their creativity, determination, and efforts towards building sustainable livelihoods. During the entrepreneurship Mela, she emphasized that such initiatives play an important role in empowering women, strengthening rural economies, and encouraging youth to become job creators rather than job seekers.
Speaking on the occasion, Devyani Rana stated that women’s economic empowerment has always remained one of her foremost priorities for the development of Nagrota constituency. She remarked that a truly progressive society can only be built when women are given equal opportunities to grow, lead, and become financially independent.
Devyani Rana further encouraged women and youth of the constituency to actively participate in such initiatives and take full advantage of the support being provided by the Government of India under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narindra Modi Ji to promote entrepreneurship at the grassroots level.
MLA Nagrota further said that empowering women economically is not only about providing financial assistance but also about building confidence, leadership skills, and access to opportunities. “My dream is to see every woman in Nagrota become self-reliant and financially independent. When a woman becomes economically strong, the entire family and society benefit,” she said.
Devyani Rana also reiterated her commitment to supporting women-led initiatives and ensuring that government schemes reach the grassroots level effectively. She said that the administration and public representatives must work together to create an enabling environment where women feel encouraged to pursue entrepreneurship and innovation.
Officers and Officials from the District Employment & Counselling Centre (DE&CC), Jammu, were also present at the event and briefed participants about the objectives and opportunities under Mission YUVA. They guided aspiring entrepreneurs about various government schemes, financial assistance, training programmes, and institutional support available to help them establish and grow their enterprises.
