Global Skills Park an effective initiative towards Skill India: CM Chouhan

Bhopal: Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that while on the one hand there is unemployment problem in our country, on the other hand there is dearth of talented people in the world. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his farsightedness has made a significant attempt in this direction through Skill India. The state is committed towards best contribution in the efforts of the Prime Minister. Global Skills Park is an effective initiative in this direction. Chouhan was today addressing a gathering at the Global Consultation on Skill Development Programme and foundation laying ceremony of Global Skills Park at RCVP Noronha Academy of Administration.

Chief Minister Chouhan said that a new phase of technical training has begun in the state. Industrial training institutes are being given a facelift. In the coming five years these institutes will be in a position to provide facilities of training in latest professions. He called upon the youth to become skillful for the building of a new India. There are unending possibilities of development. He said that we have the world’s biggest youth power. If their skills are honed, our biggest weakness huge population can become our biggest strength in future. He said that effective work has been carried out in the state for quality technical education. Quality of education has been ensured along with the publicity of professional education. Work has been done to mark and close down sub-standard training institutes. Around 37 such institutes have been closed down and process is on against nearly 70 institutes. This decision has been taken so that the future of students is not taken for granted in future.

Chouhan said that there are three main objectives of education- Gyan, Kaushal and Sanskar (Knowledge, Skill and Culture). With these objectives become unattainable in a balanced manner in this education system, an army of unemployed persons with only bookish knowledge has mushroomed. An effort has been made in the state to provide opportunities to those who wish to attain academic education. Mukhya Mantri Medhavi Vidyarthi Yojana has been implemented in the state. An arrangement has been made to make payment of fees for admission of outstanding students into medical-engineering education institutes or professional education centres as per their wish by the state government. Efforts has been made that dearth of funds does not hamper the progress of talented students.

The Chief Minister expressed gratitude to the people of the state for plantation of over 6.50 crore saplings in the state. He congratulated the public for having fulfilled their duty towards efforts to control the rising temperature of the Earth and to protect the environment.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajiv Pratap Rudy said that there is need for ‘Makers of India’ to make Make in India a success. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a visionary initiative in this direction through Skill India. Madhya Pradesh has played a leading role in fulfilling his objectives. He said that looking at the attempts being made with promptness and farsightedness towards development, it seems other countries of the world will also follow suit. Praising the works being undertaken in the direction of Skill India in state, he said that Madhya Pradesh is a leading state in the efforts towards skill enhancement. Madhya Pradesh is the country’s first state which has undertaken all programmes and schemes of centre’s skill enhancement simultaneously. The state has inspired other states to take initiative in this direction by conducting online test of ITI. Mentioning modern facilities of various professional training Rudy said that by including various programmes of skill enhancement in one ministry, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a visionary initiative. ITI has been included in the Skill Enhancement Department. The country is moving fast towards quality professional education. He said that the professional education system prevalent earlier lacked quality. In the 127 courses run in 13 thousand ITI institutions, 18 lakh students take admission in electrical and fitter trades, one lakh students take admission in other 9 trades and one lakh in the remaining trades, whereas in the present times the industries need separate experts training in the same trade. He said an education system that is producing degree-based unemployed persons must be pondered upon. Praising the efforts of plantation in state, the Union Minister said that Global Skills Park is a historic step. An investment of an enormous fund of Rs 650 crores for professional training is proof of the state’s farsightedness.

State’s Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Technical Education Deepak Joshi said that the state government is making committed efforts to make Prime Minister’s initiatives Make in India, Digital India and Skill India successful. Efforts have been made to make ITI a leading institute. About 5 lakh youths of the state are being linked to professional education through ITI Chalen Abhiyan. Efforts will be made to set up employment of 70 per cent of the youths. He said that Global Skills Park will prove to be a milestone of change in the life of youths.

World famous cricketer K. Shrikant said that the initiative of Global Skills Park will provide guidance in the efforts for skill enhancement in the country. He said that the project’s design tells about its super success. Smt. Song Wan Lee of Asian Development Bank said that ADB is providing technical assistance in India’s Skill India initiative. Madhya Pradesh’s project is fifth in the country. This will strengthen the institutionalized system of vocational training in the country. He assured to extend constant assistance to the project.

Bruce Poh of ITES Singapore said that the Skills Park will give new pace to the state’s economic, social development process. Principal Secretary Technical Education Smt. Kalpana Shrivastava gave information about the project. Chief Executive Officer Global Skills Park Sanjeev Singh proposed the vote of thanks.
A short film based on the concept of the park was shown during the programme. Guests were welcomed with books and pens as gift. At the onset, Chief Minister Chouhan planted Neem saplings in the Academy premises with Union Minister of State Rudy.-WTN