J&K Emerging as Global Innovation Hub: CM Omar Abdullah Charts “Saffron & Silicon” Future at Kashmir University Convocation
SRINAGAR | February 26, 2026 — Marking a transformative shift in the region’s economic narrative, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah declared that Jammu & Kashmir has evolved far beyond its traditional image to become a burgeoning center for Innovation and Participatory Governance.
Addressing the 21st Convocation of the University of Kashmir alongside Chief Guest and Vice President of India C. P. Radhakrishnan, the Chief Minister unveiled a visionary “Saffron & Silicon” roadmap designed to position the UT as a premier destination for Green Data Centers and knowledge-based industries.
Terming his recent 2026–27 Budget a “Fiscal Compass,” Abdullah emphasized that the administration is dismantling old economic constraints to foster an environment where Meritocracy, Sustainability, and Digital Sovereignty serve as the foundational pillars for a modern, progressive J&K.
A significant highlight of the ceremony was the academic dominance of women, who secured nearly 60 percent of the degrees and medals awarded. The Chief Minister hailed this achievement as a transition from “Women’s Welfare” to “Women-led Development,” citing the success of 80,000 Self-Help Groups under the UMEED scheme that have empowered 7 lakh women.
He urged female graduates to break barriers in biotechnology, civil services, and global leadership roles, noting that their brilliance is the true “gold medal” of the state.
To support this ambition, the government is providing interest-free soft loans for women-led startups in the IT and manufacturing sectors, ensuring that the next generation of innovators has the financial backing to turn ideas into prototypes through new Common Facilitation Centres.
Beyond technology, the Chief Minister called for a “High-Density Revolution” in agriculture and a sustainable evolution in tourism. He urged Science and IT graduates to develop blockchain-based traceability for products like Pampore Saffron and real-time pest detection apps to globalize local produce.
While tourism remains a lifeline, Abdullah stressed a move toward border tourism in locales like Keran and Gurez, supported by eco-friendly infrastructure and “Green Standards” for hospitality.
Concluding with an emotional tribute to the sacrifices of parents and the resilience of the youth, he reassured graduates that recruitment reforms have replaced “recommendation” with “qualification,” ensuring that merit remains the only currency in a region now focused on creating job providers rather than job seekers.