JAMMU, Aug 30: The Outreach Division of IIT Jammu, in collaboration with Trika Consulting, organized a two-day capacity-building workshop for IIT Jammu-supported Self-Help Groups (SHGs) from surrounding villages on August 29 and 30, 2026. The workshop aimed to strengthen participants’ confidence, business understanding, customer engagement, and income-generation capabilities through effective marketing.
The two-day workshop marked the first phase of a broader six-month pilot initiative (August 2026–February 2027) under the SAKSHAM initiative, jointly implemented by IIT Jammu and Trika Consulting, represented by Ms. Shannu Kaw and Ms. Vishali Raina. Over the next six months, participants will continue to receive support through workshops, mentoring, and market-access opportunities aimed at strengthening their businesses and enhancing their incomes.
The workshop was conducted under the guidance and support of Prof. Manoj Singh Gaur, Director, IIT Jammu; Prof. Meenakshi Rajeev, Dean, Outreach and Skill Development; and Dr. Sameer Kumar Sarma Pachalla, Associate Dean, Outreach Department.
A total of 28 participants representing 20 SHGs took part in the workshop. The participants also showcased their products and work, providing an opportunity to highlight their skills, creativity, and entrepreneurial potential.
The inaugural session was led by Prof. Meenakshi Rajeev, who welcomed the participants and briefed them on the objectives and significance of the workshop. She emphasized the importance of self-confidence, recognizing the value of one’s work, and developing entrepreneurial skills for sustainable livelihoods.
The technical sessions were conducted by Trika Consulting, with participants actively engaging in interactive sessions and practical exercises. The sessions focused on self-awareness and confidence, recognizing product value, understanding customers, effective communication, pricing, assessing business performance, and identifying opportunities to increase earnings.
The two-day workshop concluded with participants identifying a practical 30-day business action plan, enabling them to translate their learning into concrete steps towards strengthening their enterprises and livelihoods. These action plans also provided a foundation for their continued engagement through the six-month pilot initiative.
The initiative reflected IIT Jammu’s continued commitment to outreach, skill development, entrepreneurship, and inclusive livelihood enhancement in the J&K region.