Agartala: Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan, virtually inaugurated the National Skill Training Institute for Women in Agartala and unveiled a girls’ hostel in Vadodara, Gujarat. These initiatives mark significant strides towards empowering Nari Shakti and creating a conducive environment for female trainees pursuing skill development.
The virtual inauguration ceremony saw the presence of Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Pratima Bhoumik; Chief Minister of Tripura, Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha; Minister of Industries and Commerce, Jail (Home), and Welfare of OBCs, Govt. of Tripura, Santana Chakma; Member of Parliament, Vadodara, Ranjanben Dhananjay Bhatt; Deputy Speaker, Legislative Assembly Tripura, Ram Prasad Paul; and Mayor, Vadodara Municipal Corporation, Pinkyben Nirajbhai Soni, among other dignitaries.
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, in his virtual address, emphasized the inauguration’s significance on the auspicious occasion of Sarojini Naidu’s birth anniversary, also recognized as National Women’s Day. He stated that these facilities symbolize women empowerment in two crucial centers of eastern and western India, illuminating the path for women in the region and aligning with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision for women-led development.
Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha highlighted the Directorate of Skill Development’s achievement in equipping 42 thousand individuals with valuable skills, with over 17,000 benefiting from the PMKVY program in the last nine years. He emphasized the government’s dedication to women’s empowerment, reflected in tangible actions fostering self-reliance.
National Skill Training Institute (Women) in Agartala: A Beacon of Progress
The National Skill Training Institute (Women) at Anand Nagar, Agartala, built over 4.12 acres with a total investment of Rs. 17 crores, stands as a symbol of progress and commitment. Operationalized in 2015, it focuses on providing vocational training to female trainees from Tripura and the Northeast region. The institute offers need-based training for wage and self-employment, emphasizing trades with high employability.
The newly inaugurated two-storey hostel at NSTI Vadodara, constructed at an approximate cost of Rs. 6 crores, accommodates 80 trainees on a twin-sharing basis. The hostel is equipped with amenities such as a gymnasium and open spaces for sports activities, promoting holistic development among trainees.
NSTI Vadodara, initially established in 1993, recently added a new hostel building to accommodate more trainees, becoming a pioneer in women’s skill development. The institute, situated on a 6-acre campus, offers a diverse range of courses under CTS and CITS, including Computer Operator Programming Assistant, Fashion Design and Technology, and Office Management.
In November 2023, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated NSTI Plus, located in Jatni, Bhubaneswar, aimed at enhancing the skills of the youth in Odisha. The sprawling 7.8-acre campus of NSTI Plus is envisioned as a modern Gurukul, equipping candidates and trainers with industry and future-ready skills.