Srinagar, April 9: Union Minister for Textiles and Women and Child Development, Smriti Zubin Irani on Friday said that the Srinagar campus of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) has broadened the government’s policy to promote ‘one nation and one education’ policy and she could see “mini-Bharat” flourishing in NIFT Srinagar because ninety percent of the students belong to outside states.
Smriti was addressing the first convocation of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) Srinagar held today at Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC).
She said the first batch of NIFT Srinagar has added a golden page in the 35-year-old history of the institution “It’s interesting to note here that when we talk about one nation, one education system or one nation, one ambition…I see mini-Bharat in NIFT Srinagar as most of the students belong to outside,” she said.
“Of the 31 students in the first batch, 28 belong to other states. And of 160 total students 145 come from across the country,” she said.
She lauded the efforts of faculty and staffers of the NIFT Srinagar for successfully running the academics in difficult situations.
She said the students should be prepared for challenges, failures and whatever life has to offer.
Irani was the Chief Guest at the first convocation of NIFT Srinagar while the Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Kiren Rijiju was the Guest of Honour. Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha attended the ceremony through a video link from Raj Bhawan Jammu. The function was also attended by senior officials of both state and central governments.
The minister said the government of Jammu and Kashmir has recently announced a package of Rs 30,000 crore as part of the J&K Industrial Policy and urged upon the students to put in their best efforts to reap benefits from it.
She also announced the introduction of new courses on Technical Textiles at the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) Srinagar and other
campuses.
“The challenge is that Srinagar campus and those across the country don’t have a specially dedicated team for technical textiles. That’s why I find it quite privileged to announce that NIFT will have courses on technical textiles at its few campuses including Srinagar,” Irani said.
She said India had seen an increase of 35 per cent in the production of silk in the past five years.
“We are in the position to be self-sufficient completely in the production of silk in the next two years, which means currently we are at number two after China. After two years we will be completely self-sufficient and not depend on any country for raw material. India is the number one jute producer of the world as well,” she said.
“If we talk about employment generation only in the sector of silk, we have seen a 20 per cent increase in employment opportunities. In the past three to four years, the Textile Ministry has been focusing on technical textiles, which helps in producing rocket components, bulletproof jackets and other
related things,” she said.
“According to the recent budget presented by the government, there are capital expenditure possibilities of around Rs 3 lakh crore and of which
technical textile designers, manufactures have a huge domestic market that we can capture,” she added
Kiren Rijiju while congratulating the graduates and their parents said that the students should make the best use of the opportunities available to them as the apparel and fashion industry has a lot of potentials.
“The youth of India have an important role in defining and portraying the soft image and soft power of the country and that the alumni of NIFT Srinagar will play a pioneering role in this direction.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha congratulated the graduating students and prayed for their success while addressing the gathering from Jammu.
Others who attended the event included Principal Secretary Industries and Commerce Department, Ranjan Prakash Thakur, Divisional Commissioner
Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole, Dean Academic Prof Dr Vandana Narang, Prof. Bani Jha and Director NIFT Srinagar Dr Javed Ahmed Wani besides many academicians, government functionaries as well as representatives and students of various
schools.
Director NIFT Srinagar Dr Javid Ahmad Wani said that despite limitations of space and other operational difficulties, almost 65 percent of the students
of the first batch have managed to secure placements. He thanked the Union Textile Ministry for their support in making NIFT Srinagar a reality and said that the permanent campus of NIFT, coming up at an estimated cost of Rs 287 crores would soon be operational.
Principal Secretary Commerce and Industries, J&K Ranjan Prakash Thakur complemented the passing out students on their achievements and asserted
that the next batch of NIFT students would start their academic journey at the new campus of the institute.
The speakers also congratulated the graduates and wished them luck for future endeavours.
In this ceremony, three students from each department were awarded certificates and gold medals for their innovation and creativity reflected in the graduation projects.
Awards of academic, artistic and athletic excellence were awarded to 4 students for their outstanding overall performances.
Assistant Professor NIFT Srinagar, Nausheen Qazi proposed the vote of thanks at the end.
