In a momentous visit to the Pink City, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, inaugurated a Skill Centre at Chaudhary Charan Singh National Institute of Agricultural Marketing (CCS NIAM), Jaipur today. The state-of-the-art facility has been envisioned as a specialised hub for practical training in agri-business management, warehouse operations, value chain development, and digital agriculture—aimed at nurturing the next generation of agri-entrepreneurs, cooperatives, and marketing professionals.

Recognising and empowering the existing workforce, the Minister felicitated trainees certified under the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program, implemented in partnership with the Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA). The RPL certification seeks to validate prior experience of warehouse assayers and align their skills with national quality standards, thereby enhancing employability and formalising the agri-logistics workforce.

Interacting with students, faculty, and sectoral experts during the visit, Shri Chaudhary said, “It is heartening to see that under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, meaningful skilling initiatives are being carried out at this esteemed institution. With India rolling out the world’s largest food grain storage plan, it is vital to position skilling as a first choice for youth—empowering them with flexible, market-ready career paths.”

As a part of his visit, Shri Chaudhary also planted a sapling at the Krishi Udyamita Upvan within the CCS NIAM campus, reinforcing the institute’s commitment to sustainable development. He paid floral tribute to Bharat Ratna, former Prime Minister, and legendary farmers’ leader, Shri Chaudhary Charan Singh Ji, whose enduring vision continues to shape rural policy and development in India.

Later, in a historic step toward environmental stewardship, Shri Chaudhary inaugurated the second phase of the "Chaudhary Charan Singh Parivarik Vaniki Mission" at Nevta Gram Panchayat in Jaipur Rural. The plantation campaign is a nationwide movement in commemoration of the 125th birth anniversary of Chaudhary Charan Singh Ji. The mission aims to plant 1.25 crore trees by 2027 and establish 125 “Smriti Vans” (Institutional Forests) across the country. The initiative is being led by teachers, students, parents, youth, and Gram Panchayats, with active support from the Rajasthan Shikshak Sangh Shekhawat, which alone has pledged the plantation of 10 lakh saplings this year.

In a single day, more than one lakh saplings were planted at over 500 locations in Rajasthan—marking one of the largest community-led green efforts in the state. The Minister described the effort as a fusion of environmental action and legacy-building, noting, “This mission is not just about trees—it is about connecting Chaudhary Charan Singh’s pro-farmer ideology with climate justice and familial responsibility. Just as he inspired every farmer to be self-reliant, this campaign envisions every family and community becoming custodians of the environment.”

To ensure long-term impact, the initiative includes geo-tagging of saplings, awareness drives, and community monitoring. These efforts aim to transform plantations into thriving ecosystems, with education, society, and governance working together as equal stakeholders in building a green and climate-resilient India.

 Union Minister (I/C) was accompanied by local representatives—including Shri Lal Chand Kataria (former Agriculture Minister, UP), Shri Chandan Chauhan (Member of Parliament), Dr. Subhash Garg (MLA), Shri Kailash Verma (MLA), and Smt. Rama Devi (Zila Pramukh).

The day concluded with the Minister addressing a public meeting, where he urged citizens to carry forward Chaudhary Charan Singh Ji’s legacy through collective action and environmental commitment.

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Manish Gautam/Shahbaz Hasibi

(Release ID: 2144138)