Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said efforts are underway to restore the full dignity and status of Jammu and Kashmir, stressing that such a restoration would remain incomplete without an empowered, educated and self-reliant citizenry.
Addressing the 21st convocation of the University of Kashmir said Chief Minister called upon the youth of Jammu and Kashmir to become job providers rather than job seekers. He said that his government is restructuring policies to build a market that supports knowledge-based industries within the union Territory.
“We want our youth to be job providers and not just job seekers. We often talk about the skill gap but I want to talk to you about the will gap,” he said, noting that many students graduate in humanities, arts and sciences with apprehensions about limited opportunities.
“There is a lingering fear that the market outside these gates is not ready for you. I am here to tell you we are building that market,” he said.
The Chief Minister said his administration is restructuring the industrial policy to incentivize knowledge-based industries, with an emphasis on research and development rather than conventional manufacturing.
“We don’t just want factories, we want research and development centers,” he said, adding that the government aims to ensure that biotechnology graduates do not have to move to cities like Pune or Hyderabad to find laboratory opportunities.
“We want those labs here,” he said.
On governance, Omar emphasized that development requires stability and transparency.
“Development requires the oxygen of peace. My government’s primary mandate is to provide you with a transparent, democratic and stable environment,” he said.
Referring to recruitment reforms, he said the administration aims to replace recommendation-based practices with merit-based systems.
“Whether you are the son or daughter of a shikarawala or the daughter of a minister, your merit must be your only currency,” he said. “We are working to restore the full dignity and status of Jammu and Kashmir but that status is hollow without an empowered and educated citizenry.”
Omar said that 2025 had been a difficult year for the tourism industry but noted that the sector was beginning to realise its true potential.
“Tourism is our lifeline, but it must evolve,” he said. “Despite a difficult 2025, we have seen this sector begin to realize its true potential, but we cannot rely solely on the beauty of Gulmarg or Pahalgam.”
Referring to the government’s push for diversification, he said border tourism was being actively promoted to expand the tourism footprint beyond traditional hotspots. “We are pioneering border tourism. Villages like Keren, Gurez, and Teetwal, once synonymous with conflict, are now symbols of connection,” he said.
The Chief Minister added that the government is working with the union Government to develop nine new tourist destinations to ensure balanced growth.
“We are working with the union government to develop nine new destinations to ensure that the benefits of tourism reach the last mile. But let us be wise. We must protect what we promote,” he said.
Highlighting environmental concerns, Omar pointed to the visible impact of climate change in the region. “Our glaciers are receding, our winters are changing,” he said, stressing the need for sustainable infrastructure.
He said the government was investing in measures such as artificial snow technology to safeguard the skiing season in Gulmarg and promoting eco-friendly alternatives like eco tents instead of concrete hotels.
“We must ensure that the tourism of tomorrow does not destroy the nature of today,” he asserted.
Calling upon professionals, he urged environmental science graduates to contribute towards building sustainable standards for the hospitality sector.
