Manipur Governor Dr Najma Heptulla said the north-eastern states need to develop an ambitious yet meaningful skill development and employment plan for its youth in the current phase of economic activities under Centre’s Act East Policy.
Governor Dr Heptulla was speaking at the inaugural function of the one day seminar on ‘Skilling the Youth in The Wake of India’s Act East Policy –From North-East Perspective’ at the Manipur Assembly Auditorium on Saturday.
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Addressing the gathering, the Governor stated that India is heading towards becoming the world’s fastest growing economy and is expected to become the youngest country by 2020 with 64 per cent of its population in the working age group.
Northeast will not only enhance the Indian economy but will also cultivate two-sided assimilation amongst the East and South East Asian neighbours, Dr Heptulla felt.
Growth of the north-eastern region expects a massive boost in trade and commerce under the Policy, she said.
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The Government of India has ambitious plans to transform India into a competitive, high-growth, high productivity middle-income country by using this young workforce which accounts to only 2.3 per cent receiving some formal skill training at present.
To address the issue and bridge the gap, skill development has emerged as a priority sector, she added.
As the trade and commerce is booming in the region due to connectivity with ASEAN and China, youth of the region need to get skill development training in relevant trades to support the cross-border trade and business.
The multi-skill training centres need to have ‘Language Labs’ to deliver training on Burmese, Mandarin and other oriental languages which will be of immense help in penetrating business and maintaining diplomatic relations with Myanmar and China, she said.
In her speech, Dr Swaran Anil, patron, Integrated Talent Development Mission (ITDM) said, the Mission is involved with the youths and to enhance their skills with the coming of the Act East Policy.
Deputy Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly, Kongkham Robindro Singh said that the youths should take the opportunity of the seminar and try to help in the development of the region.
Even though we have manpower, there is lack of skills amongst the youths, he added.
Scholars, researchers, students of Manipur University and representatives of Integrated Talent Development Mission ‘Blooming North-East’ took part in the seminar and its technical session wherein skill development experts shared their many important inputs.