Dr. Noour Ali Zehgeer
Our Jammu & Kashmir State — now a Union Territory — has gone through turmoil and political negligence over the past three decades. We all suffered and could not overcome the agony caused by these challenges. Yet, there remained a group of people who kept working even in those turbulent days and today run various Trusts and NGOs dedicated to uplifting society.
One such group has been relentlessly working for the youth, keeping them away from social evils and guiding them toward a brighter future. In Jammu and Kashmir, organizations like the Chinar Valley Youth Trust are actively empowering young people through education, skill development, mental health support, and conflict rehabilitation.
Youth empowerment in the region is more than just words — it is a commitment to action. It involves engaging young people in community decision-making, offering them education, skills, and meaningful opportunities that benefit them individually and contribute to the broader society. Empowering Kashmiri youth is a multifaceted endeavour that touches every aspect of their lives.
Recognizing the vital role of youth empowerment, the Government of Jammu & Kashmir launched Mission Youth, an initiative aimed at holistic youth engagement and outreach. This innovative endeavour has established over 4,290 youth clubs since its inception in 2021, training volunteers to address real challenges and bring meaningful change. The success of Mission Youth stands as a testament to the transformative power of empowering Kashmiri youth and signals the urgent need for more such initiatives to dispel the persistent trauma and tension affecting young lives.
The potential of Kashmiri youth is immense, and harnessing this potential requires a comprehensive approach. Through education, entrepreneurship, cultural preservation, sports, community engagement, mental health support, and improved connectivity, young people can be empowered to shape a prosperous and harmonious future for themselves and the region. By investing in youth empowerment, we pave the way for a more stable and united society — fostering hope, unity, and lasting positive change.
Shiraz Malik, the visionary founder and chairperson of the Chinar Valley Youth Trust, has dedicated her life to serving the people of Kashmir through tireless social work and leadership. With deep compassion and commitment, she established this organization to bring positive change to society — especially among youth, women, and underprivileged communities.
The Chinar Valley Youth Trust has organized numerous impactful initiatives across sectors including sports, healthcare, environmental cleanliness, drug de-addiction awareness, women’s empowerment, and senior citizens’ welfare. Shiraz Malik believes true development begins with collective responsibility, and she has inspired hundreds of young people to join hands for a cleaner, healthier, and better Kashmir.
Her consistent efforts and selfless dedication have made the Chinar Valley Youth Trust a symbol of hope and progress. She continues to lead from the front, ensuring that every project undertaken by the Trust serves humanity and contributes to the upliftment of society as a whole.
NGOs and governments can form powerful alliances to deliver impactful programs in remote and underserved areas. Their collaboration can bridge gaps in infrastructure, trust, and reach — especially where state presence is limited. Below is a structured approach to how they can work together effectively:
Strategic Collaboration Framework
1. Shared Vision and Co-Design
Joint Needs Assessment: Conduct participatory rural appraisals to identify local priorities.
Co-creation of Programs: Align NGO innovation and agility with government policy frameworks and funding.
Cultural Sensitivity: Leverage NGOs’ grassroots trust to tailor interventions.
2. Resource Pooling
Government: Provides funding, policy support, infrastructure, and scale.
NGOs: Contribute technical expertise, community mobilization, and last-mile delivery.
Public-Private-NGO Triads: Involve corporates for CSR funding and technology enablement.
3. Capacity Building
Train Local Cadres: Jointly train community health workers, teachers, or digital facilitators.
Knowledge Exchange: NGOs can upskill government field staff in participatory methods and monitoring.
4. Decentralized Implementation
District-Level MoUs: Empower local administrations to partner with NGOs for context-specific solutions.
Pilot to Scale: NGOs can pilot innovations, and governments can expand successful models.
5. Monitoring and Accountability
Joint Dashboards: Use digital tools for real-time tracking of outcomes.
Third-Party Audits: Ensure transparency and build public trust.
6. Policy Feedback Loop
NGOs: Channel community voices to inform policy adjustments.
Governments: Institutionalize successful NGO models into broader schemes.
Support Policy Advocacy and Strengthen Legal Frameworks
The J&K government should equip NGOs like Chinar with advocacy toolkits — policy briefs, data-driven reports, and communication plans — to influence district-level policymakers. Regular roundtables between NGOs, elected representatives, and administrators can ensure field insights shape policy. A unified civil-society voice on issues like drug abuse, mental health, or rural connectivity can pave the way for meaningful reforms.
We need to strengthen organizations like Chinar so they can continue their good work for the benefit of society.
