Friends,

Skill and education are the two most important tools for the country in this era of 'Amritkaal'. Our youth are leading the country's Amrit Yatra with the vision of a developed India. Therefore, in the first budget of 'Amritkaal', the youth and their future have been given utmost importance. This budget is strengthening the foundation to ensure that our education system is practical and industry oriented. For several years, our education sector has been a victim of rigidity. We have tried to change this scenario. We reoriented education and skilling according to the aptitude of the youth and the demands of the future. The National Education Policy has also laid equal emphasis on both learning and skilling. I am glad that we got a lot of support from the teachers in this endeavour. This gave us great courage to free our children from the burden of the past. This has encouraged the government to undertake further reforms in the education and skilling sectors.

Friends,

New technology is also helping to create new types of classrooms. We have also experienced this during Covid. That's why today the government is focusing on such tools, through which 'anywhere access of knowledge' can be ensured. Today our e-learning platform SWAYAM has 3 crore members. Virtual Labs and National Digital Library have the possibility of becoming a huge source of knowledge. Students are also getting the opportunity to study in local languages through DTH channels. Today many such digital and technology-based initiatives are going on in the country. All these initiatives will get further boost with the National Digital University. Such futuristic steps are going to change the entire space of our education, our skills and our knowledge. Now the role of our teachers will not be limited only to the classroom. Now the whole country, the whole world will be like a classroom for our teachers. This is going to open new doors of opportunities for teachers. Different types of teaching material, various types of features, with local touch and many such things are going to be available from all over the country for our educational institutions as well. And most importantly, this will remove the gap between village and city schools. Everyone will get equal opportunities.

Friends,

We have seen that many countries lay special emphasis on 'on the job' learning. Over the years, the central government has focused on internships and apprenticeships to give 'outside the classroom exposure' to its youth. Today there are about 75 thousand Employers on the National Internship Portal. They have posted about 25 lakh requirements for internships. This is benefiting both our youth and the industry a lot. I would urge industry and educational institutions to make maximum use of this portal. We have to further expand the culture of internship in the country.

Friends,

I believe that apprenticeships help in making our youth future-ready. We are also promoting apprenticeships in India. This will also make it easier for our industry to identify the workforce with the right skills. Therefore, in this budget, a provision of stipend has been made for about 50 lakh youth under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme. That is, we are also creating an environment for apprenticeship and also helping the industry in payments. I am sure the industry will take full advantage of the same.

Friends,

Today the world is looking towards India as a manufacturing hub. That's why today there is enthusiasm in the world about investing in India. In such a situation, a skilled workforce is very useful today. Therefore, in this budget, we have pushed forward the focus of the previous years on skilling. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 will skill, reskill and upskill lakhs of youth in the coming years. Through this scheme, tailor-made programmes are being formulated according to the needs of tribals, differently-abled and women. Besides, manpower is also being developed for various sectors under Industry 4.0 like AI, Robotics, IoT, Drones. This will make it easier for international investors to work in India. Investors in India will not have to spend much energy and resources on re-skilling. PM Vishwakarma Kaushal Samman Yojana has also been announced in this year's budget. With this, emphasis will be laid on skill development of our traditional artisans, craftsmen and artists. The PM Vishwakarma Yojana will also help these artisans to get a new market who will also get better prices for their products.

Friends,

The role and partnership of academia and industry is huge in bringing rapid changes in the education sector in India. With this, research will be possible according to the needs of the market and adequate funding will also be available from the industry for research. The industry-academia partnership will be strengthened in the three Centres of Excellence for AI mentioned in this budget. It has also been decided to make ICMR Labs available to medical colleges and private sector R&D teams. I am sure that the private sector will take maximum advantage of every such step taken to strengthen the R&D ecosystem in the country.

Friends,

Our 'whole of government approach' is also clear from the decisions taken in the budget. For us, education and ‘skilling’ are not limited to the concerned ministry or department only. There are possibilities for them in every sector. These sectors are expanding with the increasing size of our economy. I urge the stakeholders related to skilling and education to study these opportunities coming up in different sectors. This will help us in creating the required workforce for these new sectors. Now as you are watching and listening to the news related to the fast growing civil aviation sector of India, it shows how much India's travel and tourism industry is expanding. These are huge sources of employment. Therefore, our skilling centers and educational institutions need to develop capacities for the same. We would like to prepare an updated database of the youth who have been trained under the 'Skill India Mission'. Because, there will be many youngsters whose skills need to be upgraded. After the advent of digital technology and AI, this trained workforce of ours should not be left behind. We have to work for it from now onwards.

Friends,

I have complete trust that there will be fruitful discussions; better suggestions will be made and better solutions will emerge. And with a new conviction and fresh energy, enrich these important areas with your thoughts for the bright future of our young generation, and carry them forward with your resolutions. The government is ready to walk shoulder to shoulder with you. I wish you all the very best for this webinar. Thank you!

DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of PM’s speech. Original speech was delivered in Hindi.

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DS/LP/IG/AK