Jammu, March 25, 2026: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday inaugurated the Jammu Chapter of the Indian Society for Training & Development, underscoring the importance of skill development, collaboration, and innovation in driving the Union Territory’s growth.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony held at Padma Shri Padma Sachdev Government PG College for Women, the Lieutenant Governor said the newly established chapter would play a pivotal role in strengthening the learning and development ecosystem and positioning Jammu as a regional hub for professional training.
He urged the ISTD Jammu Chapter to prioritise job creation and entrepreneurship, with a focus on enhancing the global competitiveness of local talent. Emphasising the evolving economic landscape, he noted that the future presents both challenges and opportunities, and preparedness would be key to harnessing them effectively.
Highlighting the need for collective efforts, Sinha said that complex and multi-dimensional challenges can only be addressed through collaboration and dialogue among stakeholders. He called for building a strong professional community through networking, adoption of best practices, and exposure to national and international standards.
The Lieutenant Governor stressed that education must go beyond the mere dissemination of knowledge and instead equip individuals to face real-world challenges. He advocated greater emphasis on soft skills, research, entrepreneurship, and fostering a startup culture through academia–industry collaboration.
Calling for focused interventions across sectors, he urged ISTD members to strengthen training, research, and collaboration in industries, startups, and agriculture to enhance productivity and market linkages. He also highlighted the need to equip farmers with modern technology, scientific practices, and efficient resource management to address emerging challenges such as climate change and water scarcity.
On governance, Sinha observed that citizens today expect transparency, accountability, and efficiency, and called for a more citizen-centric administrative framework that evolves with changing times.
Reiterating the importance of human capital, the Lieutenant Governor stated that trained and developed human resources remain the most powerful instrument of transformation. He said that empowering individuals and institutions would be crucial in realising the vision of a developed and inclusive India.
The event was attended by senior officials, academicians, ISTD members, and students, marking a significant step towards strengthening the professional training ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir.
