Addressing the gathering, the Hon’ble Prime Minister remarked that as India is moving forward in the 21st century, history has been created today on the occasion of the skill convocation of more than 9 lakh students of the Industrial Training Institute while more than 40 lakh students are connected with us virtually. The Hon’ble Prime Minister pointed out that the students with their skills are taking their first step on the path of innovation on the birth anniversary of Lord Vishwakarma. “I can confidently say that as pleasant as your beginning is, your journey to tomorrow will also be more creative”, he said.
Elaborating on Vishwakarma Jayanti, Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi said that it is the festival of dignity and consecration of skill. Drawing an analogy to a sculptor making an idol of the god, the Prime Minister said that today it is a matter of great pride for all of us that on the auspicious occasion of Vishwakarma Jayanti, the skills of the students are being honoured and recognized. “Vishwakarma Jayanti is the honour of every person who works hard in the true sense, it is the day of labour”, the Prime Minister continued “In India, we have always seen a portrayal of God in the skill of the labourer, they are seen in the form of Vishwakarma.” Shri Modi elaborated that the skill that they possess has a fragment of God somewhere in it. “I understand that this event is like an emotional tribute to Lord Vishwakarma, like ‘Kaushalanjali’”, he added.
Highlighting the achievements of the Government in the last eight years, the Prime Minister said that India has initiated new schemes with the inspiration of Lord Vishwakarma and is trying to revive the tradition of 'Shramev Jayate' by laying emphasis on skill development. “To make this the century of India, it is very important that the youth of India should be equally proficient in education as well as skill”, the Prime Minister remarked. Shri Modi added that the government has given top priority to the skill development of youth and the creation of new institutions. “The first ITI in our country was established in 1950. In the following seven decades, 10 thousand ITIs were formed. In the 8 years of our government, about 5 thousand new ITIs have been created in the country. More than 4 lakh new seats have also been added to ITIs in the last 8 years”, the Prime Minister added.
The Prime Minister went on to elaborate that National Skill Training Institutes, Indian Institute of Skills, and thousands of skill development centres have also been opened across the country apart from the ITIs. The Prime Minister further said that the government is also going to open more than 5000 skill hubs to promote skill development at the school level. After the implementation of the New National Education Policy, experience-based learning is also being promoted and skill courses are being introduced in schools.
Talking about the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, 'Industry 4.0', the Prime Minister remarked that Industrial Training Institutes will have a big role to play in India's success. He pointed out that the nature of the job is changing with time, therefore, the government has taken special care that the students studying in our ITIs should also get the facility of every modern course. Elaborating on the availability of the courses, Shri Modi said that many courses related to coding, AI, robotics, 3D printing, drone technology, and telemedicine have been started in ITIs. The Prime Minister pointed out that as India is taking lead in the field of renewable energy, solar power and electric vehicles, the courses related to such fields have been introduced in many of our ITIs. “It will be easier for students like you to get employment opportunities”, he added.
Talking about the recent developments of providing optical fibre to every village, and opening lakhs of Common Service Centers, the Prime Minister said that as technology is expanding in the country, so are the job opportunities. He said that more and more opportunities are being created in the villages for the students who have passed out from ITIs. “Be it the mobile repair work in the village or work concerning new technology in agriculture, spraying fertilizer or be it supplying medicine with the help of drones, many such new jobs are being added to the rural economy”, the Prime Minister remarked, “The role of ITIs is very important in this, our youth should make the most out of these possibilities.” The Prime Minister also said that the government is also continuously working to upgrade ITIs with a similar vision in mind.
Elaborating on skill development, the Prime Minister said, “When a youth has the power of education as well as the power of skill, then his self-confidence automatically increases. When the youth come out empowered with skills, then he gets an idea on how to start his work, to support this spirit of self-employment.” The Prime Minister highlighted the power of schemes like Mudra Yojana, Startup India, and Standup India, which provide loans without guarantee.
Highlighting the opportunities on a global level, the Prime Minister said that many big countries of the world need a skilled workforce to fulfil their dreams and maintain their pace. Shri Modi remarked that there are many opportunities waiting in the country as well as abroad. “In the changing global circumstances, the confidence of the world in India is also increasing continuously. Even during the Corona period, India has proved how its skilled workforce and its youth are capable of providing solutions to the biggest challenges.” The Prime Minister remarked that Indians are making a mark in every country due to their skills and talent, be it health services or hotel-hospital management, digital solutions, or the field of disaster management.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan said that skill development is the instrument of empowerment. In the new National Education Policy, importance has been given to skill development to integrate it with education and to provide academic parity. The Minister congratulated all the students who got skill certificates in the convocation. He said that the contribution of all these students will be important in building a self-reliant India. He further said that Job seekers are also becoming job creators through skill training. Shri Pradhan stressed that India has a large, young, and educated population who can be assets to any industry globally if they are provided with focused training and capacity building as per industry requirements. Skilling, reskilling and upskilling have not only empowered marginalized communities and women but have also encouraged the youth to join the Armed Forces as Agniveers. Going forward, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship will align its effort with world-class standards and even hand our degrees and even PhD certificates based on skills. He also urged that Viswakarma Diwas be celebrated as the most auspicious day in the skilling ecosystem.
Highlighting the importance of Skilling Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar said that in the new world order, the importance of skilling has increased leap and bound, As India recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, skilling has become a passport for prosperity among the youth. India’s
youngsters are the foundation for the new India we aspire to build, and every stakeholder should come together to fulfil Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dual vision of establishing Aatmanirbhar Bharat and transforming the nation into the Skill Capital of the world. Congratulating the candidates, he also added that he is extremely proud to be a part of the convocation ceremony and urges everyone to leverage skilling to move towards growth and sustainable livelihood.
The convocation ceremony witnessed multiple announcements including the MoU signing between Media and Entertainment Skill Council and Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) as well as the launch of - Achievement booklet: Skill India’s One India, One Mission, Swawlamban ki Ore: Stories of 75 entrepreneurs, Kisan Operator Video (Agriculture sector), Skill Gap Report (Hydrocarbon sector), Mai bhi Jal Rakshak Campaign (Water and Plumbing Sector). It also included the formal unveiling of handbook for Quality Inspector Training of Trainers (ToT) (Automotive Sector).
Apart from the toppers of ITIs/NSTIs, the certificates were distributed to PMKVY & Special Projects candidates, NIESBUD and IIE candidates, Jan Shikshan Sansthan candidates, Apprentices, trainers, entrepreneurs and WorldSkills 2022 winner.
Moreover, the day was celebrated across all institutes and centers and extended partners like Sector Skill Councils, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras (PMKK), Training Partners, Skill India International Centers, Skill India International Centres, Skill Hubs etc., across the country, inviting local dignitaries and media. The ceremony also included the felicitation of skill trainers recognizing them for their contribution to the skill ecosystem.
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