The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha, inaugurated the two-day annual Youth Festival “SPECTRUM-24” at the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) campus in Ompora Budgam. The festival, themed “Rangreza,” aims to provide a platform for students from NIFT and other educational institutions across the Kashmir Valley to showcase their talents in various domains including performing arts, sports, fashion shows, and literary programs. In his address, he highlighted the pivotal role of youth in shaping the future of Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasised that the youth are the region’s greatest asset and are committed to propelling the Union Territory (UT) to new heights. The festival is seen as a significant opportunity for young minds to exchange innovative and creative ideas, thereby promoting the rich cultural and artistic heritage of the area. The Lt. Governor praised NIFT Srinagar for its contributions to design development and the strategic positioning of the handloom and handicraft sectors. He noted the sector’s substantial transformation over the past 4-5 years and stressed the critical role that NIFT students can play in further advancing these industries. He urged students to familiarize themselves with the traditional handicrafts of Jammu and Kashmir to aid the Handicrafts Department in brand positioning and the incubation of new ideas across various product categories. Further, the Lt. Governor highlighted the UT Administration’s policy reforms aimed at revolutionizing the handicraft and handloom sectors. Notably, in June 2023, 32 new crafts were notified, raising the total number of registered crafts to 60. Efforts are being made to ensure that every handicraft artist and weaver benefits from GI certification, testing, labelling, and training. He called upon NIFT students and faculty to support artisans in brand positioning, product designing, and packaging. He also underscored the role of academic institutions in establishing India as a knowledge economy and emphasized the importance of aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to meet future market needs. The “SPECTRUM-24” festival featured over 600 students participating in 24 events such as Best out of Waste, Mural Art, Frame within the Frame, Battle of Bands, Mental Marathon, and Open Mic. The event was attended by prominent figures including Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Sh. Vijay Kumar Bidhuri; Commissioner Secretary of Industries & Commerce Department, Sh. Vikramjit Singh; Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Sh. Akshay Labroo; and Director of NIFT Srinagar, Dr. Javid Ahmad Wani, along with faculty members and students from various institutions. Through events like SPECTRUM-24, the NIFT Srinagar not only nurtures talent but also fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of the cultural and artistic heritage, contributing significantly to the socio-economic fabric of Jammu and Kashmir.