In the presence of Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu, Minister of Railways and Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between Ministry of Railways (MOR) and Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) on mutual cooperation on Skill Development as part of The National Skill Development Mission. Shri Pradeep Kumar, Member Staff, Railway Board and Sh. Sunil Arora Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship signed the MOU in the presence of both the Ministers. The persons present on the occasion included Chairman, Railway Board Shri A.K. Mital and other Railway Board Members and officials from Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
Minister of Railways Shri Suresh Prabhu while addressing the gathering said that it is a momentous occasion and shall go a long way in the future development of our nation. Referring to the recent World Population Day, the Railway Minister pointed out that the population of India is growing by leaps and bounds and it may be possible that our population may outnumber Chinese population by the next census. Today we are 1.27 billion and this demographic figure may swell in future which means that we will be the most populous nation of the world in future. Shri Suresh Prabhu said that it is therefore necessary to have skilled population which can contribute significantly in country’s economic growth. This is perhaps the right moment when we should think about quantity versus quality. One of the principal focus areas of the Union Government is the National Skill Development Mission with a target to skill 500 million people by 2022 to make them more employable. Skills and knowledge are the driving forces of economic growth and social development for any country.
The Minister pointed out that Railway Ministry is happy to contribute in this national endeavour of skill development and this will be done through Skill Training Centres at sparable Railway infrastructure like way side stations, Railway Training Centres, Railway Schools, Institutes etc. spread across the country.
Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Minister of State (Independent charge) for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship said that this is a historic moment when two Ministries i.e. Ministry of Railways and Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship(MSDE) are signing MoU to join hands in the mission of national skill development. Shri Rudy said that skill Development Programme is vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister which will help country’s work force in a big way. Shri Rudy said that it is a national mission and everybody must contribute in this task of national development.
With the signing of this MoU, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and National Skill Development Corporation(NSDC) will be able to provide the right platform to the large number of the rural unemployed youth to learn skills that will help them become economically self reliant and productive members of the society.
Note: News shared for public awareness with reference to the information available from a government website.