Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Engages with Skill-trained Entrepreneurs

New Delhi: Dharmendra Pradhan, the Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, engaged with over 100 entrepreneurs who received training under various skill development institutions, including the National Institute of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE), and Skill India’s flagship scheme — Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY).

Expressing admiration for the entrepreneurs’ journeys towards self-reliance, Pradhan commended their commitment to contributing to the nation’s development. He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the government for their dedication to uplifting the poor and deprived across sectors, including essential needs, comprehensive skill development, and socio-economic security. Pradhan emphasized that empowering the marginalized is a cornerstone of this administration, with the common citizen being the Prime Minister’s unwavering priority.

The Union Minister praised and encouraged the entrepreneurs for their participation in vocational training, which is ushering in a new era in India’s skill development and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Key dignitaries present at the event included Nirmaljit Singh Kalsi, President, National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET); Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE); and Trishaljit Sethi, Director General, Directorate General of Training (DGT).

During the interaction, entrepreneurs shared insights into how skill training under the Skill India Mission enhanced their capacities, problem-solving abilities, and created unique differentiators for marketing their products. They expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship for providing invaluable industry exposure and on-the-job training, enabling them to transform aspirations into tangible realities.

Several entrepreneurs took the stage to share their experiences, discuss challenges, and elaborate on how skill training under the Skill India Mission helped them turn trials into opportunities. Female entrepreneur Shital Tamang from South Sikkim narrated her journey of reshaping India’s growth trajectory through her venture – Sikkim Handloom and Handicrafts. Entrepreneurs like Indrajit Sadhukhan, Sanjeet, and Jyotirmayee Sahu also shared inspiring stories of establishing successful ventures through skill development.

Driven by the vision to make the entrepreneurial ecosystem more outcome-driven and holistic, various schemes have been introduced to equip entrepreneurs with knowledge and skills aligned with the evolving needs of industries. Initiatives like PM Vishwakarma and the Skill India Digital (SID) platform aim to bridge the academia-industry gap and develop entrepreneurial skills such as leadership, creative thinking, teamwork, and business growth.

Entrepreneurs from diverse states and industries, including beauty & wellness, handmade products, tailoring, sewing machine operation, and computer operation, attended the Republic Day Parade. Recognizing the significance of skilling India’s youth for the startup ecosystem, MSDE’s initiatives aim to create an environment conducive to growth, fueling job creation, productivity, and efficiency for the betterment of society.