Agartala, January 2024.

In an effort to propel the Youth of Tripura with demand driven, future ready and industry ready skills, Hon’ble Minister of State, Electronics & Information Technology, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Jal Shakti, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar launched skill development initiatives in the state of Tripura under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship’s (MSDE) flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana. This new iteration of PMKVY will drive the aspirations of the Youth in the state with 100+ future skills in the areas of 3D additive manufacturing, Drone Technology, Data engineering to name a few. Under this initiative, more than 48,000 youth in Tripura will be skilled in the next 3 years. The initiative also prioritizes on-the-job training and robust industry partnerships.

Hon’ble Minister of State, Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt. of India, Kumari Pratima Bhowmik;Hon’ble Minister, Industries & Commerce, Home (Jail), Welfare of OBCs, Govt. of Tripura, Smt. Santana Chakma; Joint Secretary, MSDE, Ms. Hena Usman;Head Public Policy, Flipkart Group, Dr.Tafeem Siddiqui;Director,

Govt Affairs and Public Affairs, Microsoft corporation (India) Pvt. Ltd., Sandeep Aurora; Managing Director, Cisco, Harish Krishnan and other senior officials were also part of the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Hon’ble MoS, Electronics & Information Technology, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Jal Shakti, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar, said, “The Narendra Modi Government not only makes announcements but also works hard to ensure all promises are fulfilled. It is our goal that every young Indian in Tripura has access to skilling programmes and opportunities. Through these skilling opportunities, they can secure jobs, engage in self-employment, and foster entrepreneurship. This aligns with the vision of ‘Naya Bharat’, and this ‘Badalta Bharat’ is nurturing a generation that is the luckiest in the history of Independent India. Before 2014, in our country, opportunities were scarce and often accessible only through connections or godfathers. Today, irrespective of where young Indians live—whether in Agartala, Bengaluru, Mumbai, or Gurugram—they have unprecedented opportunities. To tap into these opportunities, young Indians need skilling and education.

In the past 10 years, India has witnessed a deep transformation, spearheaded by Hon’ble PM Modi ji. Before 2014, the perception of the Northeast Region was that it was challenging to reach and invest due to a lack of connectivity. However, there has been a massive transformation in the physical infrastructure, economic development, investments, and opportunities in the region from 2014 to today. For more than 65 years, our young Indians were disadvantaged without skills and education. PM Modi ji took it upon himself to reverse this legacy. Today, whether it's PM Vishwakarma Yojana, the upliftment of traditional artisans, PM Svanidhi for street vendors, or skilling initiatives for companies like Microsoft and Flipkart, the spectrum is covered under the architecture framed by our Prime Minister.”

Hon’ble Minister of State, Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt. of India, Kumari Pratima Bhowmik, said,"As we stand at the crossroads of tradition and progress in the heart of Tripura, I am inspired by the vision set forth by our Hon'ble Prime Minister, who envisions a Viksit Bharat 2047, empowered by skilled youth. Skills are the key to unlocking our potential, and I am committed to fostering a culture that celebrates both our cultural heritage and the promise of the future. In the movement between tradition and modernity, the Guru Ka Samman becomes a symbol of our dedication to preserving our roots while embracing innovation. Tripura, with its diverse skills, tells a story of artistry in traditional crafts and the brilliance of cutting-edge technologies. Together, let us empower our youth with the skills needed to shape the future of our beloved country."

Celebrating the traditional artisans and craftsmen of the state, Vishwakarma Gurus from 5 trades, namely, Tailor, Fishing net maker, Carpenter, Bamboo crafts and Pottery were felicitated during the event by the Minister. He further launched two centres in west Tripura, virtually, for the implementation of training under the scheme.

Additionally, beneficiaries from Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups under PM JANMAN scheme and candidates who have received employment opportunities under the Specified Skilled Workers programme in Japan were also certified and honoured, respectively.

Strong foundations for implementation of skill development initiatives were laid as 4 MoUs were exchanged between Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE), National Institute of Technology (NIT), Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), National Institute of Technology and Information Technology (NIELIT) and Tripura institute of Technology.

With a spirit of optimism and a steadfast commitment to unlocking the immense potential of its youth, theskill development initiatives promise to be a game-changer. This transformational effort will not only empower individuals but also propel the state towards a thriving future, marked by economic prosperity and sustainable development.