Indian Army's skill development programme for Kashmiri youths in Poonch ends

A felicitation ceremony for successful youth trainees of skill development programme was conducted on Wednesday at the Degree College in Poonch.

The trainees comprised of 330 youngsters including males and females. They were trained in carpentry, driving and vehicle mechanic, computer operator and IT, plumbing & fitting and agriculture/horticulture and hand embroidery which are in high demand.

This course was launched last year as a pilot project on 'Skill Development: Future of J & K' initiative taken by the Romeo Force, Jammu and Kashmir as part of 'Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojna (PMKVY)'.

Major General Yogendra Dimri, General Officer Commanding, Romeo Force gave away the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT)certificates and tool, kits to successful candidates. He stressed on continued support from the civil administration and financial institutions till jobs were created for the certificate holders so that these courses become a guiding beacon in Jammu and Kashmir.

He thanked Mr. Mohamad Harun, District Development Commissioner, Poonch for providing entrepreneurial guidance and financial assistance to the selected candidates.

Mr. Dinesh Nijhawan, Director, DGET, New Delhi under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship who coordinated the successful implementation of the pioneer project was invited on the occasion. Mr. Nijhawan highlighted the initiatives of the Government of India for skill development and how Kashmiri youth can benefit from the same.

Professor Sandeep Singh of Jammu University was also present and appreciated the endeavour of the Army and requested the civil administration to implement the same model in other districts as well.

Mohammad Shabir, one of the trainees, gave a vote of thanks to the Indian Army on behalf of the participants, saying, "I learned car driving through participation in the skill development programme which will surely help me to get the job and also earn me a better livelihood."

Another participant Ashiana Khatoon who opted for a Agriculture trade said, "I am thankful to the Indian Army for making us enough qualified to earn our own living. I recommend the Indian Army to come up with more such schemes to channelise the potential of talented youth, she added.

Tehseen Ahmed, who was trained in plumbing, expressed his happiness over the success of the skill development programme saying, that now he could work outside and earn a better living.