Srinagar, October 1,22026- For many young graduates in Jammu and Kashmir, a degree used to mean one thing: a job. Amir Mushtaq Baba chose a different path. A B.Sc. graduate, he turned away from a career in the clinical field to become an entrepreneur, launching “Baba Spices” with support from the government’s Mission YUVA.
His decision is part of a wider shift in the Union Territory, where educated young people are increasingly choosing to build enterprises instead of waiting for employment. It also shows how a government scheme can help turn a personal risk into a source of local economic growth.
A Bold Career Switch
Moving from a clinical career to a spice business is not a small step. A clinical profession offers a recognised qualification, a steady path and social respect. Entrepreneurship offers none of these guarantees. Success depends on the quality of the product, the strength of the brand and the ability to win customers.
Baba chose to take that risk. Spices are part of nearly every household kitchen in the region, and buyers increasingly look for trusted local products. A science graduate can bring particular strengths to such a business, including attention to purity, hygiene and quality control, which are central to winning the trust of customers.
What Is Mission YUVA?
Mission YUVA, short for Yuva Udyami Vikas Abhiyan, is the Jammu and Kashmir government’s flagship youth entrepreneurship programme. It was designed with IIM Jammu, NABARD, J&K Bank and other institutions. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has said it aims to create more than 1.37 lakh enterprises and around 4.25 lakh jobs over five years, with a focus on young people and women.
The scheme rests on four connected pillars: building an entrepreneurial culture, access to capital, capacity building and market connectivity. Awareness camps, training sessions, mentoring and a digital platform guide aspiring entrepreneurs from application to launch.
The Scale of the Movement
Recent figures suggest the scheme is gaining momentum. At a review meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, officials said Mission YUVA had disbursed loans of Rs 1,826 crore across 32,665 accounts and helped set up 13,597 enterprises. The mission had received 1,42,196 applications, a 37 per cent increase from the figure in May. More than 9,000 J&K merchant storefronts have also joined the Open Network for Digital Commerce, giving young entrepreneurs access to a national market.
Government Backing for Self-Employment
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said that government jobs cannot be provided to everyone and that self-employment avenues must be created. He has described Mission YUVA as a scheme devised for this purpose, aimed at helping young people build sustainable businesses and become job creators. He has also stressed that banks must ensure smooth disbursement of loans under entrepreneurship schemes.
Why Small Enterprises Matter
A venture like Baba Spices may begin as a small unit, but its effects can spread. It creates work for local helpers and packers, provides farmers and suppliers with a nearby buyer and keeps money circulating within the community. When successful, it also becomes a model for others. A young person who sees a classmate or neighbour build a brand is more likely to attempt the same.
This is the change that Mission YUVA hopes to bring about: a culture in which starting a business is seen as a natural option, and not a last resort.
A Message for Young Graduates
Baba’s journey carries a clear message for educated youth. A degree can lead to a job, but it can also be the foundation of a business. With training, finance and market access available through government support, the barriers to starting up are lower than they once were.
For Jammu and Kashmir, every new enterprise means more local employment and a stronger local economy. Stories like Baba’s show that the region’s next generation of employers may already be among its young graduates.
