Feature Writer
“I never thought of working, it is just fate that has made me opt for this, I regret not having any vocational training, I hate to do this work” complaints Kamla who resides in Diamond Harbour and works as a laborer in construction. She started to work after her husband’s death who would earn the living in the same way. “To travel back and for approximately 4 hours makes my life hectic, I feel sad that I cannot give time to my children,” she cries. Kamala has studied in a government school up till class 12 but still feels uneducated with regards to any skill she would want to do staying close to her family.
“To travel back and for approximately 4 hours makes my life hectic, I feel sad that I cannot give time to my children,” she cries.
In the year 2015, according to the report in ‘The Hindu’, the rate of employment in the state of West Bengal is on a rise, it is stated, “according to the TMC’s official website, the fourth Annual Employment-Unemployment Survey Report revealed that the unemployment rate in 2014 fell to 52 from 74 in 2012-13, the lowest since the survey was conducted. In terms of lowest unemployment rate, Bengal stands at number 12. The rank was 25 in 2012-13 and 28 in 2011-12. This reflects the steady improvement of the situation.” In spite of the success, there are women who are unaware of special schemes and have failed to receive vocational training, in order to be a skilled laborer, in some way or the other. Such is the case throughout the Nation; various attempts have been made to give opportunities to people especially to young women for their economic independence.
West Bengal government have introduced many schemes that has ‘an objective to plan and promote programs for entrepreneurship and generating self -employment among women in the fields of trade, business service etc. which will enable women to earn and improve their standard of living.’
“I never thought of working, it is just fate that has made me opt for this, I regret not having any vocational training, I hate to do this work” complaints Kamla.
A similar initiative has been taken recently by the government of Maharashtra, PUNE TO LADAKH SKILL YATRA that spreads the message of Education in Secondary schools.
This initiative ‘Skills on Wheels’ has gained support nationwide that embarks on a journey from Pune to Ladakh to take the ‘Skill India’ mission to another level of success all through the country, as we all know that The Indian economy has the potential to grow if the skill gap is not properly bridged. ‘Lend a Hand India’ is a Pune-based NGO that took the initiative of Skill Yatra that brought extraordinary recognition to skill education in schools from Pune to Ladakh through “Skills on Wheels” – a customized bus retrofitted with all the necessary tools and equipment to deliver the Multi Skill vocational education in secondary schools.
The motive is to bridge the gap between what one is educated with and how much of that one put that to use. The agenda is to introduce skill education as a part of secondary school across 10 states in India.
The Skill Yatra began from Pune and had the final stop at Leh, Ladakh, where it visited the famous “Druk Padma Karpo School”, also known as Rancho School – recall the movie, 3 idiots? The initiative was commended by Mr. Sonam Wangchuk. This is the same school featured in the movie ‘3 idiots’.
‘Druk Padma Karpo School’, also known as Rancho School – recall the movie, 3 idiots? The initiative was commended by Mr. Sonam Wangchuk. This is the same school featured in the movie ‘3 idiots’.
Skill Yatra crossed and halted at various state departments of education, and administrators in Bhopal, Delhi, Chandigarh, Srinagar, Drass, Kargil, Leh, Jaipur, Gandhi Nagar, and Mumbai (in Mantralaya). During this unique Skill Yatra, “Skills on Wheels” visited the Ministry of HRD and the effort was applauded by MrPrakashJavadekar, Union Minister of HRD. Mr. Rajiv Pratap Rudy – Union Minister of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship also flagged off the Skill Yatra for its journey from New Delhi.
In Pune, the Skill Yatra was flagged off by Mrs. Sheetal Ugale, Additional Municipal Commissioner. Along the way, Mr. P.K. Das Additional Chief Secretary to Govt of Haryana, Mr. Naresh Pal Gangwar, Principal Secretary to Gov. of Rajasthan, Mr Tufail Mattoo, State Project Director, Jammu & Kashmir, Ms. Shilpa Gupta, Jt State Project Director, Madhya Pradesh, Dr Rajesh Khambayat, Jt Director, PSSCIVE Bhopal, Mr. Jayant Krishna – COO of NSDC, Mr. Dinesh Patel, Jt State Project Director, Gujarat also flagged off the Skill Yatra for its onward journey.
During the Yatra’s last leg, Mr. Vinod Tawde – Minister of Education – Maharashtra and Dr. Suvarna Kharat – Joint Secretary – Dept. of Education – Maharashtra received the Skill Yatra at Mantralya Mumbai. The NGO is thankful to the dignitaries for having stepped forward, and for helping with the cause of taking education to the remotest of places across our country.
Sunanda Mane, Co-founder & President of LAHI, stated, “India still needs to generate at least 280 million jobs between now and 2050. There is 36 million unemployed youth in India. Of these 24 million live in villages and substantial number move to cities in search of employment. One of the reasons for unemployment among youth is the significant disconnect between the school education and the opportunities, skills, and exposure necessary to achieve full potential and earn the livelihood.”
