Srinagar, September 14 (Scoop News)- The Islamic University of Science and Technology Friday organized a one day Youth Festival “AALAW – Consumer Calling” to spread awareness about the menace of counterfeiting and adulteration of Kashmiri Handicrafts and agricultural products.
The event was organized by Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FICCI) in collaboration with School of Business Studies, Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) and Kashmir Rotary Club.
The festival was inaugurated by Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Hassan Mir, who was accompanied by the Vice Chancellor IUST, Prof A R Trag, Veteran Journalist, Mr Brij Bhardwaj, Joint Director FICCI & Head CASCADE, Meena Chandra and President Rotary Club Dr. Amit Wanchoo.
Addressing a gathering, Minister for Agriculture, Mr Ghulam Hassan Mir said that youth and the government should collectively work on spreading awareness about the ill effects of counterfeiting on Kashmiri products. “An initiative has to be taken at the level of educational institutions like IUST which will help to create awareness among the people and subsequently will act as a process towards eradicating the menace of counterfeiting in our society,” he maintained.
Mr Mir said that that IUST being an autonomous body should come up with a course on counterfeiting. “This institution should lead the way towards a better change. A collective effort by youth, civil society and the government is needed to counter counterfeiting and adulteration of Kashmiri products,” he added.
In his address, Vice Chancellor IUST Prof. A. R. Trag, gave an introduction about the adulteration of products in Kashmir and its impact on the economy of the State. He also appraised the gathering about the counterfeiting of Kashmiri Saffron and its remedial measures.
Registrar IUST, Prof A.G. Rather welcomed the guests and participants of the festival. Dean School of Technology, Prof KKS Jamwal, faculty members of various departments of IUST besides students were also present at the occasion.
The one day festival had main events including student participation in events like debates, painting competition and Skits. During the events, the students highlighted the practice of counterfeiting adopted by different agencies in various Handicraft products.
The event concluded with the distribution of prizes and certificates to the participants.