Indian Army Organises First-Ever Startup Weekend For Students And Entrepreneurs Of J&K

Army along with Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) organized the first of its kind startup weekend aiming ‘to propel entrepreneurship growth in the region’ of Jammu and Kashmir. The program culminated on Sunday at Udhampur.

The Army in its formal communication said, “The Counter Insurgency Force (Uniform) organized a Startup Weekend under the aegis of White Knight Corps in collaboration with Technology Business Incubation Centre (TBIC), Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU)”.

The three day startup weekend began on 20 September 2019 and culminated on 22 September 2019. To give them the exposure of real entrepreneurship, more than fifteen mentors/investors were invited from all over the country.

The goal, as per the Army, is to help the youth become job creators rather than job seekers. Talking about the aim of the activity, the army in its release said, “The Startup Weekend was conducted with an aim to propel entrepreneurship growth in the region and witnessed large participation.” The Indian Army, under its ‘Operation Sadhbhavana’, has been mentoring the youth of J&K to become ‘Job Creators rather than Job Seekers’, added Army.
Seniors officers of the Army and the University were present on Sunday while students of various universities and colleges of Jammu and Kashmir and local entrepreneurs pitched their ideas during the event. “Major General D S Gill, Chief of Staff, Headquarter 16 Corps witnessed the event on 22 September 2019 and addressed the gathering. Major General Dhiraj Seth, General Officer Commanding, Counter Insurgency Force (Uniform) also interacted with the participants.” Army said.