Skill devpt programme for Muslim girls launched in J&K

The NDA Government has launched skill development programme for girls of Muslim community in Jammu and Kashmir under its Nai Manzil initiative.
"We launched the skill development programme in three Madarsas for girls in Jammu and Kashmir yesterday. The programme is being launched under our Nai Manzil initiative.
"We will provide the girls area-specific training, based on local requirements as part of the programme," Union Minority Affairs Minister Najma Heptulla told reporters here today.
The Minister said girls from economically poor background will be trained at three institutions which include a development centre in Kashmir University and Madarsa Shahi-i-Hamdan in Pampore and Madarsa Imam Sadique in Shadipur in Bandipora.

She said training will be given in seven areas including saffron and fruits processing, traditional embroidery, tourism, hospitality, software and hardware, electronics and plumbing.
The Minister said students will be trained in these areas over a period of three-month beyond learning hours and also offered stipend of Rs 4000 each.

"We will also give them certificates from Sector Skill Councils," she said.
Heptulla said the World Bank too has taken note of the Nai Manzil prorgamme and offered loan of USD 50 million.
"This is for the first time that the World Bank has offered loan to the Ministry. The bank has appreciated our programme and also recommended African countries to implement similar programmes," she added.

Heptulla said her Ministry has sought more funds from Finance Ministry in the upcoming budget.
Nai Manzil scheme, already introduced in Mumbai and Patna, is an integrated education and livelihood initiative for minority communities.