Jammu | October, 13: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Tuesday saud that Jammu and Kashmir has emerged as the birthplace of the Purple Revolution, with nearly 7,000 to 8,000 youths finding employment and livelihood opportunities through the Aroma Mission.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 13th Sustainable Mountain Development Summit and Agriculture Science Congress in Srinagar, Singh said the summit was being held in Jammu and Kashmir for the first time, bringing together scholars, students, and experts from across the country.
Highlighting the region’s unique Himalayan landscape, Singh noted that its rivers, glaciers, and natural springs make it an ideal destination for scientific research, while also making it vulnerable to natural disasters such as flash floods. Recalling past disasters, he stressed the need for disaster preparedness and noted that the Ministry of Science and Technology has installed automatic weather stations across the region. Radar stations in the country have increased from 17 before 2014 to 50, with another 50 being established under Mission Mausam announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he added.
Singh outlined several scientific projects launched in Jammu and Kashmir, including India’s first capacity-building programme in glaciology at the University of Kashmir and research advancements by the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology. He noted that the Aroma Mission, which originated in Jammu and Kashmir, has expanded to other states, offering technological support, guidance, and market linkages for lavender cultivation. Several young professionals have even left corporate jobs in cities like Bengaluru to pursue opportunities under the mission, fostering entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods in the region.
