SRINAGAR: CHINAR International, a leading social impact organization dedicated to empowering children and youth, has successfully concluded its 3-day Small Business Support Program. The event was held at Grand Comforts Hotel in Hyderpora, Srinagar in collaboration with TISS Incube foundation, Mumbai. The program attracted 560 applicants from across the Kashmir division from district Baramulla, Bandipora, Srinagar, Kulgam, Kupwara, Budgam, Shopian, Pulwama, and Anantnag. After a rigorous selection process, 46 candidates were shortlisted to present their business ideas, and 26 were ultimately selected for support.

The program featured intensive presentations from candidates, evaluated by a panel of experts. Local entrepreneurs, including Mr. Khalid (Lady Hut) and Ab Hamid Bhat (Rahim Motors), delivered motivational speeches, sharing their success stories. Additionally, alumni from previous cohorts, such as Mr. Rifaaz and Ms. Ahtisham from Anantnag and Srinagar respectively, inspired the new cohort by sharing their entrepreneurial journeys.

The felicitation ceremony, held on September 22, was graced by esteemed dignitaries such as Ms. Ismet Shahmiri (CHINAR patron), Mr. Syed Humayun Qaiser (Ex. Director Radio Kashmir), Rameez Makhdoomi (Sr. Journalist) and Mr. Altaf Hussain (CHINAR patron) and Syed Parvaiz Qaiser (former Ranji cricketer and Industrialist). Following the ceremony, a comprehensive training and capacity-building program was conducted by TISS faculty members, including Prof. Satyajit Majumdar and Mr. Sujay Dixit.

The fifth cohort of CHINAR International’s Small Business Support (SBS) program will provide financial support to 26 deserving entrepreneurs. Each selected business will receive up to ₹1.5 lakh in startup funding under Tier I and up to ₹3.5 lakh under Tier II of the program. In addition to financial assistance, participants will receive expert guidance in areas such as technical skills, marketing, accounting, and business management.

The Small business support Program, run in collaboration with TISS, aims to empower youth from low-income families to achieve self-reliance and foster economic independence. The expert panel included Mr. Irfan Shahmiri- Global Executive Director (CHINAR International), Prof. Satyajit Majumdar – Dean of School of Management and Labour Studies at TISS, Mr. Sujay Dixit – CEO TISS Incube foundation, Prof. Saad Parvez – Associate Professor at NIT Srinagar, Dr. Shazia Manzoor – HOD, Department of Social Work, Kashmir University, Mr. Abdul Rouf Khan-JKEDI, Adil Ahsan- Asst. General Manager SIDBI, Mohd Rafiq- Development Executive SIDBI, Mr. Javeed Hajam- Assistant Director Programs and Operations- CHINAR International. These experts brought a wealth of expertise in entrepreneurship and business development.

Till last year, CHINAR International has successfully supported 72 entrepreneurs under the same initiative who are effectively running their own businesses, contributing to the region’s economic growth.

CHINAR International remains committed to nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit among Kashmiri youth, playing a vital role in driving socio-economic transformation in the province.

KR Desk