Srinagar: The first convocation of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) Srinagar was held on Friday here at Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre. Union Minister for Textiles and Women and Child Development Smriti Zubin Irani was the Chief Guest on the occasion and Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Kiren Rijiju was the Guest of Honour.
Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha attended the ceremony through video link from Raj Bhawan Jammu. The function was also attended by senior officials of both state and central governments.
NIFT Srinagar offers two undergraduate courses in Fashion Design and Fashion Communication of four year duration each.
Speaking on the occasion, Irani said that the first batch of NIFT Srinagar has added a golden page in the 35-year-old history of the institution. She inspired the students to be prepared for whatever life has to offer and expressed faith that with the training imparted to them at NIFT, they would be equipped to deal with any tests and hardships that may come their way.
She said that the Govt of Jammu and Kashmir has recently announced a package of Rs 30,000 Crore as part of the J&K Industrial Policy and urged upon the students to put in their best efforts to reap benefit from it.
Smt Irani added that the field of technical textiles, which involves production and design of textiles for use in industries other than apparel and decoration, is going to be the next big thing in the future and her Ministry is making efforts to utilise its potential to the fullest. She said that NIFT will work towards introducing technical textiles as an academic subject in the near future.
Congratulating the graduates and their parents, Kiren Rijiju urged the students to make best use of the opportunities available to them as the apparel and fashion industry has a lot of potential. He said that the youth of India an important role to play in defining and portraying soft image and soft power of the country and that the alumni of NIFT Srinagar will play a pioneering role in this direction.
Lieutenant Governor J&K, Manoj Sinha congratulated the graduating students and prayed for their success while addressing the gathering from Jammu.
Dean Academics, NIFT, Prof Vandana Narang administered the academic pledge to the alumni on the occasion.
Earlier delivering the Welcome Address, Director NIFT Srinagar Dr Javid Ahmad Wani said that despite limitations of space and other operational difficulties, almost 65 percent of the students of the first batch have managed to secure placements. He thanked the Union Textile Ministry for their support in making NIFT Srinagar a reality and said that the permanent campus of NIFT, coming up at an estimated cost of Rs 287 crores would soon be operational.
Principal Secretary Commerce and Industries, Govt. of J&K Ranjan Prakash Thakur complimented the passing out students on their achievements and asserted that the next batch of NIFT students would start their academic journey at the new campus of the institute.
Assistant Professor NIFT Srinagar, Ms Nausheen Qazi proposed the Vote of Thanks at the end.
