Srinagar, August 08: The Jammu and Kashmir Civil Society Forum (J&KCSF) has voiced serious concern over the escalating unemployment rates among the youth in the region, characterizing it as a significant social and economic crisis demanding immediate governmental and societal intervention.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that J&KCSF Chairman Abdul Qayoom Wani, in a statement issued on Tuesday, highlighted that thousands of educated, skilled, and qualified young individuals in Jammu and Kashmir are spending their most productive years in anticipation of limited government employment opportunities.
While acknowledging the importance of government recruitment, Wani emphasized that it is insufficient to absorb the ever-increasing number of educated job seekers. He advocated for a fundamental shift in societal mindset, urging a move away from the perception that a government job is the sole pathway to dignity, stability, and social respect.
The J&KCSF chairman proposed alternative avenues for dignified and sustainable livelihoods, including private employment, entrepreneurship, agriculture, horticulture, tourism, handicrafts, technology, freelancing, skilled trades, and small businesses. These sectors, he argued, hold significant potential for providing viable career paths.
Wani stressed the critical need to address the growing culture of inactivity among unemployed youth. He suggested that instead of solely preparing for competitive examinations or waiting for government appointments, young people should be actively encouraged to acquire new skills, pursue vocational training, and explore opportunities in emerging sectors such as information technology, artificial intelligence, digital marketing, e-commerce, and online services.
Furthermore, he called for the integration of career counselling into the educational system. Wani proposed that schools, colleges, universities, employment departments, civil society organizations, and community institutions should collaborate to guide young individuals about evolving employment trends and assist them in making informed career choices. He also urged parents to encourage their children to explore skills development, entrepreneurship, and private employment, rather than solely prioritizing government positions as a measure of success.
The J&K Civil Society Forum plans to organize a seminar involving all relevant stakeholders to deliberate on this critical issue concerning the future generation. The objective is to formulate a collective strategy to help the youth overcome the challenges posed by unemployment.
Wani further elaborated on the broader consequences of unemployment, citing financial dependence, delayed marriages, frustration, loss of confidence, and an increase in social problems. He underscored that the repercussions extend beyond economics, representing a significant loss of human potential for the region.
He asserted that the youth of Jammu and Kashmir possess considerable talent, intelligence, and creativity. The primary requirement, he stated, is proper guidance, skill development, ample opportunities, and a societal attitudinal change towards various forms of work. Wani cautioned that each year spent in waiting for employment is an irrecoverable loss and that waiting should not become a substitute for productive engagement. He called for a transition from dependency to productivity, skills development, entrepreneurship, and self-reliance.
Concluding his remarks, Wani stated that the future of Jammu and Kashmir is intrinsically linked to the effective utilization of the energy and potential of its young generation. He appealed to all stakeholders to unite in their efforts to empower the youth, enabling them not only to seek opportunities but also to create them.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
