The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India, organised the inaugural session of ‘Skill Manthan’ centred on the theme ‘Building Sustainable Livelihoods for Women’. The virtual dialogue highlighted innovative initiatives from Meerut and Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh and NTR District in Andhra Pradesh, demonstrating how district administrations can combine skilling, entrepreneurship, finance, technology, and market access to create sustainable livelihood opportunities for women. ‘Skill Manthan’ will serve as a knowledge-sharing platform to showcase innovative and impactful district-led initiatives.

Speaking on the initiative, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Government of India, said, “District administrations are the true engines of growth, reform and transformation. Through our district-led planning approach, we are ensuring that skilling initiatives are driven by local needs and aligned with the requirements of industry, particularly MSMEs. Supported by District Skill Development Plans, the skilling agenda is at the forefront of district administration, enabling more responsive, demand-driven and impactful outcomes for youth and local economies.”

Smt. Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, MSDE, said, “India’s skilling aspirations can only be realised when skill development is driven by local realities. Hyperlocal skilling, aligned to district needs and employment opportunities, is essential to equip our youth with relevant skills and connect them to meaningful livelihoods in a rapidly evolving economy.”

District Collectors and District Magistrates, Ms. Jasjit Kaur of Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, Dr. G. Lakshmisha of NTR, Andhra Pradesh and Dr. Vijay Kumar Singh of Meerut, Uttar Pradesh showcased innovative pathways for women’s economic empowerment through skilling, entrepreneurship, and market integration. Meerut demonstrated a women-centric manufacturing model that provides hands-on training and employment in badminton racket and shuttlecock production. Bijnor highlighted Vidur Prerna Swadeshi, a district-wide platform enabling rural women entrepreneurs through branding, market access, and enterprise support. NTR District’s RISE showcased a one-stop ecosystem offering skilling, credit facilitation, mentoring, employment linkages, and entrepreneurial support, illustrating how local institutions can be converged to create sustainable opportunities for women-led enterprises.

The session reaffirmed MSDE’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with district administrations and creating a national platform for documenting, sharing, and replicating successful grassroots models. Through Skill Manthan, district-level innovation will contribute to women’s economic participation, self-reliant communities, and the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.

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