Drass: In a landmark step to empower youth and promote Drass as a distinctive national brand, the Government Degree College Drass has launched two flagship initiatives – Drass Patriotic Trek and Drass Pickle – under the Skill to Entrepreneurship Connect Programme.
The initiatives have been developed through the college’s Adventure Travel Guide High Altitude Skill Centre and Food Processing Skill Centre, making Govt Degree College Drass the first college in UT Ladakh to successfully link skill training with entrepreneurship. By nurturing innovation and self-reliance, the programme provides students and local youth with sustainable pathways to become job creators and entrepreneurs, while establishing Drass as an emerging brand in both patriotic tourism and food processing industries.
The Initiatives were unveiled by Shri Kavinder Gupta Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of UT Ladakh, along with Dr. Jaffer Akhone, Hon’ble Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC Kargil, Shri Haneefa Jan, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Ladakh, Smt. Bhanu Prabha, Administrative Secretary (Higher Education, Technical Education & Skill Development, and Youth Services & Sports), and Brigadier Ashish Bhalla.
Drass Patriotic Trek offers specially curated trekking routes developed in tribute to the heroes of the Kargil War. It provides visitors with an immersive patriotic tourism experience, further establishing Drass as India’s premier Patriotic Tourism Destination.
Drass Pickle, the college’s first in-house food product, highlights local flavors and culinary heritage, transforming grassroots skills into value-added entrepreneurial opportunities.
The projects were conceptualized, developed, and implemented by the team at Govt Degree College Drass under the leadership of Prof. Nasir Shabani, Principal, GDC Drass, with strategic guidance from Dr. Javed I. Naqi, UT Nodal Officer Skills, Higher Education Ladakh, and coordination by Mr. Shujat Ali Mir, College Skill Convenor. Trainers Mr. Ishfaq Ahmad and Mr. Suhail Ahmad, alongside the enthusiastic trainees of the skill centres.
The dignitaries applauded the college’s visionary efforts in empowering youth and positioning Drass as an unique national brand.
Government Degree College Drass expressed its heartfelt gratitude to the UT Administration especially Smt. Bhanu Prabha, Administrative Secretary and Mission Director, Ladakh Skill Development Mission, for her unwavering support and guidance in transforming the vision of skilling into impactful entrepreneurial ventures for the youth of Drass.
