Kupwara, July 22, 2025: In a continued push toward inclusive rural development, a livelihood initiative has been launched in collaboration with the Jammu & Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM) under the Umeed Project. The program is part of a broader effort to uplift women from economically marginaliSed communities through sustainable livelihood opportunities and self-reliance.
The initiative, rolled out in the Kupwara district, focuses on organising rural women into Self-Help Groups (SHGs)—a cornerstone of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). These SHGs serve as platforms for women to receive skill development training, access credit and market linkages, and build micro-enterprises that generate regular income.
“By providing rural women with the tools, training, and financial access they need, the Umeed Project has become a catalyst for empowerment in Jammu and Kashmir,” said a spokesperson from JKRLM.
Under this initiative, beneficiaries like Fancy Akhtar from Kupwara have not only created viable business ventures but also inspired other women in their communities to pursue economic independence. Many SHG members have transitioned into Lakhpati Didis, women earning over ₹1 lakh annually, as envisioned in the national DAY-NRLM framework.
With technical and financial support from JKRLM, the program aims to scale these efforts across rural Jammu & Kashmir. The Umeed Project, operational since 2013, continues to play a vital role in bridging gender gaps in the region by enabling women to participate meaningfully in the local economy.
In the current financial year, JKRLM has intensified its outreach by converging with other central schemes and financial institutions to broaden market access, provide enterprise support, and promote women-led development across the Union Territory.
