Army in its earnest effort to provide employment opportunity to the youth of Valley designed a unique programme of “Hunar Se Rojgar Fauj Ki Madad Se” in collaboration with Institute of Hotel Management, Rajbagh, Srinagar, defence spokesman said in a statement.”Under this programme, a pilot project was run wherein 48 youth of Machhal Sector were selected for six and eight weeks training in Food and Beverages Service and Food Production, respectively. On completion of training, ‘On Campus Placement’ was organized. 33 youth were employed by Taj Hotel, Srinagar, IHM, Srinagar, Batra Hotel, Khyber Hotel, and Grand Mumtaz from hospitality industry. This unique endeavour by the Army created wide spread enthusiasm in the local population of Drugmulla area,” the statement said.
In phase two, 34 youth from Muqam-e-Shahwali, Anderhama and Drugmulla were selected for the second course at Food Craft Institute, Jammu. 29 of the 34 youth have been given employment by reputed hotels. These hotels include Hotel Barbeque Nation in Delhi /Bangalore, Hotel Tranquil Retreat, Sonamarg, and Hotel Snowland Sonamarg, the spokesman added.He said the unique venture by the Army has witnessed active participation of entire population from all villages around Drugmulla and Machhal Sector. “Youth of the region are very inquisitive and exuberant to pursue their career in the hospitality industry after hearing from Haroon Latief Pirzada of Drugmulla, Javed Ahmed Mir of Misri Shiek, Mohammed Asraf Lone of Andherama and Majid Maqbool War of Mukamasawali who are working with Hotel Sonamarg, Taj Hotel Srinagar, Tranquil Retreat Sonamarg and Barbeque Nation Mumbai respectively, drawing pay in the range of Rs 6,000 – 8,500 per month. Phased projects are planned for the local populace of the Kupwara and area around in consonance with Institute of Hotel Management, Srinagar and Jammu.”