The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi launched 511 Pramod Mahajan Grameen Kaushalya Vikas Kendras in Maharashtra via video conferencing today. Established across 34 rural districts of Maharashtra, these Kendras will conduct skill development training programs across various sectors to provide employment opportunities to rural youth

The Prime Minister began his address by stating that it is the 5th day of Navratra when Skanda Mata is worshipped. Noting that every mother wishes for happiness and success for their children, the Prime Minister underlined that this can be made possible only with education and skill development. Speaking about the establishment of 511 Pramod Mahajan Grameen Kaushalya Vikas Kendras in Maharashtra, the Prime Minister underlined that today is a huge step for the skill development of millions of youth making this day a memorable one.

The Prime Minister said that the demand for skilled Indian youth is growing globally. Referring to the increasing age profile in the demography of many countries, the Prime Minister mentioned a study that says that 16 countries have planned to provide employment to about 40 lakh skilled youth.  “India is preparing skilled professionals for the world, not just for itself”, the Prime Minister said. He said that the Skill Centers in Maharashtra will prepare the local youth for global jobs and will skill them in construction, modern farming, media and entertainment, and electronics. The Prime Minister also emphasized the need to provide training in soft skills such as basic foreign language skills, using AI tools for language interpretation which will make them more attractive for the recruiters.  

For long, the Prime Minister pointed out that the previous governments lacked farsightedness and seriousness towards skill development which resulted in fewer job opportunities for the lakhs of youth due to lack of skills. The Prime Minister underlined that the present government understood the need for skill development and created a separate ministry dedicated to it with its own budgetary allocation and multiple schemes. Under the Kaushal Vikas Scheme, the Prime Minister informed that more than 1 crore 30 lakh youth have been provided training under multiple traits, while more than hundreds of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras have been established all over the country. 

The Prime Minister underlined the contribution of skill development initiatives in bolstering social justice. The Prime Minister mentioned the philosophy of Babasaheb Ambedkar that focussed on industrialization for the upliftment of dalits, backwards and tribals as their landholdings were meager. Due to a lack of skills in the past, these sections were deprived of the opportunity of getting quality jobs. He said that the most benefit from the Government’s skill development initiatives is being derived by the poor, dalit, backward and adivasi families. 

Recalling the contributions of Savitri Bai Phule in breaking the shackles of society when it came to the education of women, the Prime Minister reiterated that only those with knowledge and skill can bring about a positive change in society. Shri Modi underlined that Savitri Bai Phule has been the inspiration behind the government’s emphasis on women’s education and training. He mentioned self-help groups or ‘Swayam Sahayata Samuh’ which impart training among women, and informed that specialized training has been provided to more than 3 crore women under the Women Empowerment programme. He also touched upon training women to encourage them to make use of drones in the agricultural fields and other sectors.

The Prime Minister referred to professions that are being carried forward over the generations in the villages. He talked about the PM Vishwakarma Yojana that has been started to help such professions as barber, carpenter, washerman, goldsmith or ironsmit. Under this, the Prime Minister informed that training, modern equipment and financial assistance are being provided. “Government is spending 13,000 crore rupees on this and in Maharashtra, 500 plus skill centers will take this forward in the state”, he said.  

Amidst these efforts of skill development, the Prime Minister emphasized dwelling on areas of improvement for types of skills which will further strengthen the country. He underlined the need for good quality products or products with zero defects in India’s manufacturing industry and also touched upon Industry 4.0 which requires new skills. He said that governments will also have to emphasize new skills keeping in mind the service sector, knowledge economy and modern technology. The Prime Minister also stressed finding out the kind of products for manufacturing that will lead the nation towards self-reliance. We have to promote the skills required to manufacture such products.

Emphasizing the need for new skills for India’s agriculture sector, the Prime Minister pushed for natural farming to protect Mother Earth. He talked about the need for skills to assess balanced irrigation, agri-product processing, packaging, branding, and skilling people to get connected with the online world. “Various governments of the country will have to further expand their scope of skill development”, Prime Minister Modi added. 

The Prime Minister assured the trainees that they have chosen the right path as through skills, they can contribute a lot towards their families and the nation. The Prime Minister narrated the experience of his visit to a skill development center in Singapore at the request of their Prime Minister. The Prime Minister recalled the Pride of the Singapore Prime Minister and how such activities of skill training gained social acceptance. The Prime Minister said that it is the duty of society to acknowledge the dignity of labour and recognize the importance of skilled work. 

Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Ministers of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis and Shri Ajit Pawar were present on the occasion among others. 

Background

The Grameen Kaushalya Vikas Kendras will conduct skill development training programs across various sectors to provide employment opportunities to rural youth. Each Kendra will train about 100 youngsters in at least two vocational courses. The training will be provided by empanelled industry partners and agencies under the National Skill Development Council. The establishment of these Kendras will help the region attain significant strides towards developing a more competent and skilled manpower.

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DS/TS