Hyderabad, January 8, 2025: The University of Hyderabad, in collaboration with UNNAT BHARAT ABHIYAN and the Ministry of Education (Government of India), organized a two-day National Workshop on “Skill India for Viksit Bharat: Empowering Rural Youth for Future Opportunities.” The workshop, sponsored by IoE-UoH, aimed to empower rural youth with essential skills for life, livelihood, and growth.
Inauguration Session
The inauguration session, held at the School of Life Sciences, witnessed esteemed dignitaries addressing the gathering. Dr. Ravula Krishnaiah, Coordinator of Unnat Bharat Abhiyan at the University of Hyderabad, delivered the welcome address. Prof. BJ Rao, Vice Chancellor of the University of Hyderabad, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
Distinguished Guests
The workshop featured Padma Bhushan Dr. Krishna Ella, Chairman of Bharat Biotech, as the International Guest of Honor. Distinguished guests included Dr. Shreekant Sharma, Director of SEE at the National Institute for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, Hyderabad, and Prof. M Ghanashyam Krishna, Director of IoE at the University of Hyderabad. Prof. PK Singh, Project Director of Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, NCI New Delhi, attended as a special invitee.
Key Highlights
Padma Bhushan Dr. Krishna Ella emphasized the significance of skillsets over mere academic degrees. “The future of rural development depends not only on formal education but also on the practical skills that can be employed in various sectors,” he stated.
Prof. BJ Rao asserted that the knowledge and skills acquired in urban areas should be effectively applied in rural settings. “Large-scale awareness programs are essential to encourage rural communities to contribute meaningfully to society’s development,” he added.
Dr. Shreekant Sharma reiterated that a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) can only be achieved through proper skilling, which goes beyond merely utilizing natural resources.
Technical Session 1
Dr. Shreekant Sharma, Director of the Small Enterprise Extension (SEE) at the National Institute for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (ni-msme), emphasized the crucial role of MSMEs in India’s economy during a technical session on “Industrial Support and Government Schemes for Entrepreneurs.”
“MSMEs are the backbone of the Indian economy and the cradle for large industries,” Dr. Sharma stated. “They contribute approximately 30% of the country’s GDP, 45% of manufacturing output, and provide employment to 11 crore Indians, with 6.34 crore MSMEs operating in the country.”
Dr. Sharma highlighted the Government of India’s proactive efforts to ensure that MSMEs benefit from various schemes in a timely manner. However, he also pointed out the challenges faced by entrepreneurs, including “awareness, technology, finance, skill, marketing, and dispute resolution.”
Technical Session 2
Ms. Sandhya Gopakumaran, Director of Training and Development at the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR), presented on the critical aspects of skilling rural youth. She emphasized the importance of capacity building, training, and development in empowering rural youth with necessary skills for life, livelihood, and growth.
Dr. T Sumalini chaired the session, providing valuable context and insights that set the stage for Ms. Gopakumaran’s presentation.
Conclusion
The inauguration concluded with a vote of thanks by Ayush Kumar Singh, a research scholar from the Department of History at the University of Hyderabad. This event aimed to foster collaboration between academia, government, and industry to build a skilled workforce that can drive India’s rural development and contribute to the vision of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India).
