District Development Commissioner Rajouri, Rajesh K Shavan today launched a ten day Wood Craft training program for men and women Self Help Group members here at ITI Rajouri, as part of Atam Nirbar Bharat.The training programme has been organised by the District Administration in collaboration with ITI, Social Welfare and NRLM (UMEED) and Himpine Institute Himachal Pradesh under Mission Youth.Speaking after the inauguration of the training, the DC said that the pine needles can be used for making toys and household products and the Himpine institute has been roped in for training the Self Help Groups. This pine needle craft training will not only enhance the local economy, but also avert forest fires, he said. He informed that Rajouri has two thousand SGHs with Twenty thousand members constituted by NRLM and collaborative efforts are being made to diversify their livelihood avenues, improve their incomes through capacity building. “Self Help Groups can play a significant role in improving the living condition of the rural poor by creating sustainable community-based institutions” he added.The DC stressed on capacity building of women and said that if provided the right opportunity they can bring a massive transformation in the society and contribute greatly in rural economy. "Several initiatives have been launched by the District Administration to provide women the best possible platform so that they can showcase their talent", the DC informed.DFO Rajouri, Arshdeep Singh; Principal ITI, Abdul Rashid; DSWO, Wakeel Ahmed Bhatt; District Officer NRLM, Javaid Ul Sofi; BPM Nowshera Zubair Ahmad Wani and a Resource person from Himachal Pradesh, Sudesh Kumari were present at the launch.