NL CORRESPONDENT
Srinagar, Nov 24: JKDAF (jkdaf.org) or Jammu & Kashmir Digital Advocacy Forum, an advocacy forum in the digital
sector was formally inaugurated jointly by Dr Ajai Chowdhry, Founder HCL and Prof Shakil A Romshoo, Vice Chancellor,
Islamic University of Science & Technology, Kashmir. Speaking on the occasion, the dignitaries highlighted the significance
of such forums and how it can play a pivotal bridge between academia, startups and the facilitating ecosystem consisting of
government, industry and the investor community. Addressing the gathering, Dr AjaiChowdhry, Founder HCL, said,
“Building the right ecosystem for India's Digital Economy requires a link between educational institutions and industries.
Start-ups, research, and educational institutions should work together to make India the world's next product capital.”
Adding to it, Prof Shakil Romshoo, VC IUST said, “The country has an abundance of skilled labour. An ecosystem of start-
up-led innovations and a synergy between educational institutions and industries are all that is required to propel the
country's economic development. JKDAF could help bridge the gap and contribute to the development of the ecosystem.”
Earlier, welcoming the dignitaries, Dr Manu Zarabi, Patron JKDAF shared the vision of the forum founded by professionals
in the digital sector driven by passion with a commitment to contribute towards a thriving digital ecosystem in the UT of J&K.
JKDAF has the following key initiative areas: – Public policy, advocacy and innovation; Entrepreneurship and investments;
Skilling and industry preparedness; Ladypreneur; Business advisory. These initiatives are led by industry experts as chairs
of the committees. The forum has over 15 mentors bringing together over 300 cumulative years of professional and
leadership experience. It has also forged strategic collaboration with CIED (Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Development, IUST), SheatWork and The Kashmir Monitor to drive its impact driven vision.
