Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Social Justice and Empowerment, Rattan Lal Kataria today inaugurated Sewa Dham- a Skill Development Center at KPs Migrant Colony, Jagti under ‘Athroot’ initiative.Advisor to LG Farooq Khan, Member Parliament Jugal Kishore, Chief Commissioner of Income Tax Ludhiana, Bathinda and Jammu and Kashmir Binay K Jha; Director General Social Welfare Jammu, Rehana Batul; Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner (Migrants), J&K, Tej Krishan Bhat; National Organizing Secretary Sewa Bharti Sudhir Ji, representatives from Sewa Bharti, besides locals were also present on the occasion.Athroot is an initiative by NGO Sewa Bharti Jammu for the Upliftment of the Kashmiri Migrants women, who are residing in different migrant camps situated in and around Jammu. The initiative has been launched to impart training, and create Self Help Groups to empower women and girls in particular, so as to shape their livelihood for a better future. The women are provided vocational training in skills like Embroidery, Stitching, Spice Grinding, Pickle Making, Soap Making, Classical Music, Computer Courses, besides also having a Bal Sanskar Kendra to impart social and moral education among kids. The project is being run under the supervision of Anjali Radhu, a resident of Jagti Township.
Addressing the gathering, Union Minister said that with the abrogation of Article 370 and Section 35A, Jammu & Kashmir will now be on the path of progress and equitable development without any discrimination on the basis of region, religion or caste.Elaborating on the vision of Union Government for Jammu and Kashmir, he said the union government is committed towards protecting the rights of every citizen, especially the under-privileged sections of society and efforts are being made for their upliftment through special schemes and programmes.The Minister said that this Skill Development Center is an appreciable initiative which will empower women in becoming independent, besides earning them a livelihood. He appreciated the social welfare works being undertaken by Sewa Bharti in Jammu and Kashmir.Advisor Khan, congratulating Sewa Bharti on the work being done by them, said that the NGO’s footprint is especially visible in Kashmir region, where the organization has vast social work portfolio and its impact can be observed on the lives of young people associated with it.Extending his best wishes for the success of the centre, Advisor assured government’s full support to the organization in its social welfare endeavors.The programme was marked by various cultural performances by young girls – residents of Jagti and Drishti Girls Hostels being run by Sewa Bharti.