Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh took center stage at Jammu University on Saturday, presiding over the launch of the Jammu and Kashmir chapter of the Dr. Ambedkar Chamber of Commerce. His message was clear: Scheduled Castes and other disadvantaged groups must cultivate a spirit of enterprise to tap into the Modi government’s transformative programs.
Addressing a gathered audience, Dr. Singh outlined the government’s holistic framework for uplifting vulnerable populations, providing handholding from early years onward. He challenged the audience to shift focus from government employment to self-reliant business ventures.
The minister detailed flagship schemes driving this change. Jan Dhan has banked the unbanked, Mudra has democratized loans, and Vishwakarma is revitalizing age-old skills for modern incomes. Data backs the success, showing marked improvements in the lives of Dalits and peripheral communities.
Aspirations are soaring, manifested in rising successes in UPSC and other exams by underprivileged youth. The tribal President’s rise exemplifies broader empowerment. Dr. Singh advocated for aggressive awareness campaigns on schemes like scholarships, fellowships, job melas, venture funds, and innovation missions named after Dr. Ambedkar.
Regional highlights included Udhampur’s Khadi camps disbursing massive subsidies, primarily to Kashmiri beneficiaries, underscoring the need for better information dissemination. Specialized efforts like Aroma Mission and STI centers further empower SC participants.
In a bonus announcement, Dr. Singh revealed the imminent Vande Bharat rollout between Jammu and Srinagar, with enhanced capacity. He credited PM Modi’s vision for resurrecting J&K’s infrastructure, particularly rail links long stalled since the 1960s, now bridging the Valley to mainland India seamlessly.
