Manipur Skill, Labour & Employment and Entrepreneurship Minister Heikham Dingo on Tuesday stated that rampant skill development of youths to become economically self-reliant is vital to propel the economic trajectory of Manipur.
He was speaking at the state Skill Mela and Stakeholders Consultation programme organised by the Manipur Society for Skill Development under the aegis of the Department of Skill, Labour and Employment and Entrepreneurship at Manipur Trade and Expo Centre, Lamboikhongnangkhong, Imphal.
The minister maintained that demographic indicators show youths as the dominant populace in India and as such, it is crucial to strengthen, support and make the youths capable of the country’s development.
“India is a nation of youth, therefore it is vital to make them capable and self-reliant to push the country forward,” he said.
Dingo further noted that Manipur leans on the Central government because of low resource availability and economic output. This dependence can be reduced if people are provided skill development training to hone their talents and innovative ideas which would diversify economic inlets in the state, he added.
“Youths should not wait for white collar jobs; instead, they should apply themselves in various training programmes under private and government institutions to become economically self-reliant,” Dingo said.
The minister also stated that economic development in Manipur can be fostered only when entrepreneurship is pushed and promoted.
He further said that both central and state governments are working relentlessly to enact various skill training institutions to materialise the objective.
Displaying a wide variety of products, as many as 46 stalls from several private and government initiatives took part in the skill mela.
Secretary of Manipur Skill, Labour & Employment and Entrepreneurship B John Tlangtinkhuma, regional head- North East, NSDC Smita Chetia Talukdar among others attended the programme.
