Jharkhand has made progress on many fronts since attaining statehood: Prez

President Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday said that Jharkhand has made progress on many fronts since attaining statehood in 2000, adding the state's rich deposits of mineral resources, forests and industrial infrastructure etc. have laid down the foundation for all-round development.

President Mukherjee, who inaugurated the 44 kms Deoghar - Basukinath Solar Street Light Project and laid the foundation stone of Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) Centre; Employees State Insurance Corporation Hospital and Driver's Training Centres at Deoghar, said that Jharkhand played a key role in India's freedom struggle.

"The pain and sacrifices of Sidho Murmu, Kanho Murmu, Tilka Manjhi and Birsa Munda are always remembered," he added.

Stating that he comes from Bengal, President Mukherjee said indeed, Jharkhand, Bihar, undivided Bengal, Orissa and Assam were part of the same Bengal Presidency for a long period in the earlier part of the last century.

"The area has a shared past and heritage and its shaping in the post Independence era has also been similar," he added.

The President said that the problem of job creation cannot be solved unless people are imparted skills to increase their employability.

"India has a huge workforce and skill development can help in economic development of this vast country," he added.

President Mukherjee said he believes that initiatives launched today such as Deoghar - Basukinath Solar Street Light Project; Software Technology Parks of India Centre; Employees State Insurance Corporation Hospital and Driver's Training Centres will transform the employment landscape of this region.