Chief Minister Shri Pramod Sawant said that the state government is focussed on making Goa ‘Skill, Fit and Inclusive’ in line with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047.
He was speaking at the launch of Skill Development Initiatives in Goa and Guru ka Samman Programme under PM Vishwakarma, organised by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India and Government of Goa.
Also present were Shri Rajeev Chandrasekar, Union Minister for State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India, Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India, Shri Prasad Lolyekar, Secretary, Education and Skill Development, Goa Government, Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Shri Sadanand Shet Tanavade, Environment Minister Shri Aleixo Sequeira, NRI Commissioner Shri Narendra Sawaikar, Margao MLA Shri Digambar Kamat, Navelim MLA Shri Ulhas Tuenkar and other dignitaries.
Sawant said that for the first time in the nation’s history, 18 traditional occupations and trades have been identified that will get government support.
“The Prime Minister has a vision. 18 skills and trades have been identified. These are not castes. These people like tailors, fishermen, cobblers, etc, will be skilled, reskilled, upskilled and trained. These persons who have such traditional occupations in the rural areas never got any support, and never had an identity. For the first time, the Modi Government has honoured such people. They will get support in the form of ID cards, training with stipend of Rs 2500 as well as a tool kit worth Rs 15,000 free of cost. They will also loan of Rs 1 lakh initially at 4% interest, for which the government will stand as guarantee. This is the Modi guarantee,” he said.
He also said that the Prime Minister is actively focussing on ‘Nari Shakti, ‘Yuva Shakti, Kisan Shakti and Garib Kalyan’ for 2047. He also said that now students can pursue graduation and simultaneously undergo ITI courses in vital skills.
“Goa is the first in the country to start such skill training centres. 3000 people have already registered. We need to make ‘Skilled Goa’. As per the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2027’, we want to make Goa ‘Skill, Fit and Inclusive’, with a focus on the skilled youth who will take this vision forward,” he said.
In his address, Chandrasekar said that to make India a developed country by 2047, the Prime Minister’s dream is to empower the youth.
“In 2014, India was among the five fragile economies in the world. Today, we are now in the top five economies. Our Prime Minister is aiming for the top three, with a focus on education and skills for our youth. We are announcing that in Goa, 25,000 youth will be made future ready and industry ready in skills,” he said.
“We are at an exciting phase of the country. In India’s history, this is the luckiest generation of students who have so many opportunities as our economy is expanding. Skilling is more important than education. To keep pace with the changing economic model and workforce landscape, the Prime Minister has emphasised that skills are essential. The youth should be at par globally in talent and skills. Focus on your future, and focus on upskilling and reskilling,” he said.
Lolyekar said that training in tailoring and fish net weaving will commence shortly.
