Youth Festival – Alaav- Consumer Calling, Srinagar

September 14, 2012 by admin Past Events 0 comments

14/9/2012 | Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora, Srinagar

FICCI Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy in association with the Rotary Club of Kashmir valley, Srinagar, organized AALAV—Youth Festival on Consumer Rights at Islamic University of Science and Technology on 14^thSeptember, 2012 in Srinagar. In a first of its kind event held at the Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora, students highlighted the issue of counterfeit and fake products and the need for consumer awareness through painting competition, debates, short skit presentations by artists and students and an interactive session.

Youth Festival on Consumer Rights was organised in association with the Rotary Club of Kashmir valley, Srinagar, at Islamic University of Science and Technology. Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture,Jammu & Kashmir, Ghulam Hassan Mir was the chief guest at the event. Other dignitaries present atthe event included Prof. A.R. Trag, Vice Chancellor Islamic University, Dr. Amit Wanchoo, President Rotary Club of Kashmir valley, Ms.Meenu Chandra, Joint Director FICCI and Mr.Brij Bhardawaj,Veteran Journalist.

In a first of its kind event taking place in the Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora,students highlighted the issue of counterfeit and fake products and the need for consumer awareness through painting competition, debates, short skit presentations by artists and students and an interactive session.

The Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Ghulam Hasan Mir in augurating the festival observed that such events make everyone conspicuous of the responsibility and what all is required to eradicate the evils ofsociety ; one of which is counterfeiting. He admitted that counterfeiting today has deep roots insociety and the impact is far more hazardous than expected to be. He remarked that things can be discussed politically but the impact or result of such political discussion takes a long time and are notvery effective. FICCI CASCADE has grabbed the right nerve by involving youth in the movement because any movement taken in hands by the youth has far reaching and long lasting impact.

Dr. Amit Wanchoo addressing the students threw light on how counterfeiting is affecting the woodcarving, handicraft industry, saffron and the shawl industry of the valley. Due to this counterfeiting the skill and the heritage of the artisan is being lost as the next generation of the artisan is no more interested in getting into the industry. Dr.Wanchoo pointed out that the situation in the valley isalarming and all the sectors together must target at creating awareness among the consumer and take the moment forward. He said that the students are the future of tomorrow and they need to take the initiative in their hands to curb this menace.

Vice Chancellor, Prof. A.R Trag welcomed all the guests to have graced the occasion. He appreciated the title of the event ALAAV- Consumer Calling and thanked FICCI CASCADE to have approached the university to launch the first youth festival. He said such steps are essential for revival of the cottage industry of the valley and most essentially saffron and handloom sector. He said that the problem today is lack of passion and through such events awareness and passion is to be ignited among the consumers. There is a need for consumers to demand their right of un adulterated genuine products.He gave some specific examples were the government has taken some steps towards safe guarding theinterest of saffron producers by providing them high yielding variety of seeds due to which the production of saffron has increased many folds.