KUPWARA: Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Shrikant Suse, today chaired a detailed review meeting to assess and strengthen the Youth Engagement and Empowerment initiatives being implemented across the district.
The meeting aimed at evolving a structured approach to channel the potential and energy of youth towards positive, creative and productive avenues.
During the meeting, discussions were held on promoting youth participation in sports, recreational activities, skill development programmes and other constructive engagements. Special emphasis was laid on intensifying awareness and preventive measures against drug abuse through sustained outreach and sensitisation efforts at the community level.
While addressing the meeting, the DC underscored the importance of collective and proactive involvement of all line departments to ensure meaningful youth engagement. He directed departments to reinforce drug awareness campaigns, counselling services and grassroots-level interventions to protect young people from social challenges, particularly substance abuse.
The DC instructed all concerned departments to prepare innovative, future-ready action plans for youth engagement for the year 2026, with a focus on maximising participation in both urban and rural areas. He highlighted the need to prioritise sports activities, cultural programmes, vocational training, employment-oriented initiatives and awareness drives.
Departments were also asked to explore greater youth participation in national events such as Tiranga rallies and upcoming tourist festivals.
Reiterating that youth empowerment remains a key priority of the district administration, the DC called for strong inter-departmental coordination to ensure timely implementation of planned initiatives. He directed that the draft action plans be finalised within the stipulated timeframe to translate policy decisions into tangible outcomes on the ground.
The meeting was attended by ADDC Kupwara, Mufti Fareed ud Din; CPO, CEO, CMO, ACD, DSHO , besides other concerned officers.