 Early Times Report
JAMMU, Mar 10: FICCI FLO Jammu Kashmir & Ladakh Chapter hosted "Samriddhi", a special event celebrating a year of impactful initiatives focused on women's empowerment, grassroots entrepreneurship, and collaborative development across the region.
The event was graced by Nasir Aslam Wani, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, as the Chief Guest, and Poonam Sharma, National President, FICCI FLO, as the Guest of Honour. The gathering witnessed participation from FLO members, Self-Help Group (SHG) workers, Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) representatives, and dignitaries from various professional and social sectors.
Addressing the gathering, Aarti Chowdhary, Chairperson, FICCI FLO JKL, described Samriddhi as a celebration of the chapter's journey over the past year-one defined by collaboration, grassroots engagement, and meaningful impact. She highlighted that the chapter's key focus during the year was to work closely with SHGs, FPOs, and cooperative institutions, ensuring that women are not only trained but also supported in building sustainable livelihoods and entrepreneurial opportunities.
During the event, FICCI FLO JKL highlighted several collaborations aimed at strengthening women-led economic participation. The chapter signed MoUs with cooperatives such as UAM, MCL, and the Jammu & Kashmir Dairy Cooperative Federation (JKFDC), along with a significant partnership with National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, to create structured pathways for livelihood generation among rural women and SHG members.
Further strengthening these collaborations, the chapter also signed a national-level MoU with UMMAC and MCL Cooperative, along with three state-level MoUs with SRLM under the leadership of Mr. Subramanian, FIDGO, and Government Degree College Kathua, aimed at promoting skill development, entrepreneurship, and capacity building.
A key highlight of the year was the Skill-to-Scale initiative, through which over 100 women from SHGs and FPOs were trained. Through a collaboration with Nidra Mattresses, these women were able to convert their skills into livelihood opportunities by producing pillow covers for the company, creating a sustainable source of income and financial independence.
The chapter also launched two important initiatives, including a women-led dairy livelihood programme in collaboration with NABARD, under which cattle were provided to women beneficiaries, and the installation of Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) to strengthen community preparedness and access to weather information.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Guest Shri Nasir Aslam Wani appreciated FLO's efforts in empowering women at the grassroots level and strengthening entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Guest of Honour Poonam Sharma commended the JKL Chapter for its collaborative approach and impactful initiatives. She remarked, "FICCI FLO's strength lies in its ability to translate vision into meaningful impact. The work undertaken by the Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh Chapter reflects how collaborative partnerships can create sustainable opportunities and empower women at the grassroots level."
The event concluded with a renewed commitment towards inclusive growth, sustainable livelihoods, and women-led development across Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh. |
