KISHTWAR, — July 13, 2026: In a significant stride toward youth empowerment and community welfare, the Indian Army inaugurated a comprehensive three-week JCB Driving Course under its ongoing Skill Development initiative at Sondar village in the Kishtwar district on July 12, 2026. Specially curated for unemployed local youth, the program delivers practical, hands-on training in heavy machinery operation and safe driving under the supervision of certified industry professionals. By equipping participants with high-demand, market-ready technical expertise, the initiative aims to boost regional employment rate, create sustainable livelihood opportunities, and foster self-reliance among the local population.
The initiative has generated substantial enthusiasm within the community, drawing an initial enrollment of 16 local youths eager to master the operation, basic maintenance, and safety protocols of JCB machinery. Expressing deep gratitude, residents warmly lauded the Indian Army’s progressive efforts to bridge the employment gap in remote terrains. Furthermore, the local community recommended making such employment-oriented vocational training a regular fixture, urging for more skill development programs to be extended across the far-flung areas of Kishtwar and its neighboring regions to benefit a larger pool of aspiring youth.