Srinagar, Nov 15 (Agency) Director of National Council for the Promotion of Urdu (NCPUL) Dr Aquil Ahmed says the union territory government is taking all major initiatives to introduce large scale skill development projects in the Kashmir Valley which will provide job opportunities to the youth. In an interview with UNI, Ahmed said the NCPUL has signed an agreement with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) under which 13 different courses have been identified and would be introduced in the valley soon. He said: “If people were provided information by the mosques through public address systems about these projects and courses, I am sure that a large number of children would seek admission in our courses”. He said that with the help of Craft Development Institute (CDI), a special Paper Mache Center has been started in Kashmir where 40 children have taken admission.
“Government wants skill development projects to be introduced on a large scale where work could be started in order to increase employment opportunities in the Kashmir valley,” Ahmed said. The NCPUL chief said 13 courses, including Tourism, Handicrafts, Teachers Training, Coding Courses have been identified and these will be run across the valley. He said most of the Multilingual DTP (MDTP) centers are operating in Kashmir alone. He said an additional 15 children were awaiting admission to the special Paper Mache Center that has come up in the valley with the help of Craft Development Institute. The NCPUL Director said Paper Mache is emerging as one of the biggest industries in Kashmir and its products are exported to other countries. The interest and increase in the Paper Mache products will not only lead to development but will help promote Kashmiri culture and skills worldwide.