The Kashmir Dialogues
Some days back, I came across a striking news article that claimed 85% of graduates in Kashmir are currently unemployed. As I sat reflecting on this alarming figure, I couldn’t help but relate it to my own reality and future. Like many others, I found myself outside the line of potential employees, drifting in a sea of uncertainty. This rising tide of unemployment has pushed thousands of young men and women into a state of confusion and despair, where their dreams swing between fleeting hope and looming disappointment.
In Kashmir, where education is highly valued and aspirations run deep, the growing disconnect between qualifications and job opportunities is more than just a statistical concern—it is a lived crisis. Every street, college, and home has a story of a capable youth searching for a job that fits their education and dignity. The emotional burden of unemployment—of waiting, hoping, and being let down—is now woven into the psyche of our youth.
Skill Development: A Parallel Path to Empowerment
While the dream of mass employment through government initiatives seems increasingly distant, an alternative and more sustainable path is slowly emerging—skill development. In today’s dynamic world, where traditional jobs are shrinking and new sectors are rising, equipping the youth with practical and marketable skills is the most powerful tool of empowerment.
Fortunately, Kashmir has not lagged behind in this direction. Numerous institutions, both government and private, are now offering skill development programs aimed at improving employability. One such standout example is Chinar Yuva Centre, located in Baramulla, which has emerged as a beacon of hope for many young aspirants.
Chinar Yuva Centre: The Pulse of North Kashmir’s Skill Revolution
The Chinar Yuva Centre in Baramulla has become a pivotal hub for youth training and job placement. This institute offers free skill development courses to thousands of youth in the region, fostering a culture of learning, growth, and economic self-reliance. More importantly, it has bridged the gap between skill training and employment by actively organizing job fairs and placement drives.
Just in the past year, the Centre has organized three major job fairs, helping hundreds of skilled youth find meaningful employment. Among these, the recent Mega Job Fair held on April 16–17, 2025, was a landmark event, drawing participation from across North Kashmir and offering an unprecedented scale of opportunities.
Mega Job Fair at Baramulla: Empowering Youth, Fostering Opportunity
Held at the Chinar Yuva Centre and jointly organized by the District Employment & Counselling Centre (DECC), Baramulla, along with the Chinar Corps of the Indian Army, the two-day Mega Job Fair marked a significant stride toward youth empowerment in the region.
Unprecedented Participation
The fair witnessed an impressive footfall of over 8,000 job seekers. Remarkably, more than 60% of attendees hailed from rural and peripheral areas—an indication of the Indian Army’s deep outreach and the administration’s commitment to inclusive development. Equally encouraging was the active participation of women, reflecting a positive shift in the Valley’s socio-economic dynamics.
Diverse Opportunities
A total of 28 reputed companies participated in the fair, offering over 1,000 job vacancies across sectors such as Hospitality, Banking & Finance, Automobile & Manufacturing, Retail & Marketing, IT & Services, Aviation & Soft Skills
Additionally, 12 companies from cities like Pune, Bengaluru, and Delhi conducted online interviews, enhancing accessibility for remote candidates.
Instant Impact
Many employers conducted on-the-spot interviews, and several candidates received provisional offer letters during the event. The fair’s immediate impact was clear—close to 500 boys and 250 girls either got placed or were shortlisted for jobs.
Government Engagement
Beyond private sector engagement, 15 government departments also participated, setting up 16 stalls to inform attendees about more than 17 self-employment and livelihood schemes. These included:
• Pradhan Mantri Internship Scheme
• MSN YUVA
• Mumkin (vehicle-based self-employment)
• Tejaswini (for women entrepreneurs)
• PMEGP (Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme)
These schemes have the potential to turn job seekers into job creators, particularly in a region with limited private sector absorption.
Skill Enhancement and Career Guidance
The fair also emphasized long-term empowerment. On-the-spot registrations were conducted for various certification and skill enhancement programs. Career counseling sessions helped aspirants align their educational background with suitable job opportunities, encouraging a mindset shift from mere job-seeking to proactive career-building.
Community and Leadership Support
The event was graced by key dignitaries, including:
• Corps Commander, Chinar Corps
• GOC, Dagger Division
• Commander, Dagger Artillery Brigade
• MLA Baramulla, Mr. Javid Beigh
• Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Mr. Minga Sherpa
Their presence underscored the importance of government and military collaboration in rebuilding Kashmir’s socio-economic fabric. The Corps Commander personally handed over job offer letters to selected candidates, symbolizing the Army’s ongoing commitment to the region’s youth.
“This job fair is more than just a recruitment drive. It is a step toward building confidence among our young population and encouraging them to pursue careers, skills, and entrepreneurship with the full backing of the administration and private sector,” said Deputy Commissioner Baramulla.
Outcomes at a Glance
A Model for the Future
The Mega Job Fair at Baramulla exemplifies how public-private partnerships, community involvement, and proactive leadership can transform a region plagued by unemployment into a hub of opportunity. It stands as a replicable model for other districts across Jammu and Kashmir—and beyond.
More importantly, the event redefined what empowerment means in today’s Kashmir. It is not just about handing out jobs; it’s about nurturing skills, encouraging entrepreneurship, and restoring faith among the youth that they are valued stakeholders in the region’s future.
Final Reflections
The road ahead remains challenging. The scale of unemployment in Kashmir cannot be fixed overnight. Government promises must be backed with swift and sincere implementation. At the same time, youth must embrace self-development, upskilling, and innovation as viable paths forward.
Institutions like Chinar Yuva Centre, and events like the Mega Job Fair, provide a flicker of light in what often seems like a tunnel of uncertainty. They prove that when communities, administrations, and institutions work together, even the most daunting challenges can be met with determination and hope.
For now, while the dream of one lakh jobs may still seem distant, the journey towards empowerment has undeniably begun—one skill, one job, and one young life at a time.
M S Nazki
