Tripura's Chief Minister Manik Saha has unveiled a groundbreaking skill development initiative called 'Skill-Uday Tongnai

Tripura's Chief Minister Manik Saha has unveiled a groundbreaking skill development initiative called 'Skill-Uday Tongnai' at the Tripura Institute of Technology, marking a significant step towards addressing youth unemployment and fostering entrepreneurship in the state. The programme is ambitiously designed to benefit 80,000 students from schools and colleges across Tripura, with a particular emphasis on empowering young individuals through comprehensive skill development and economic opportunities.

The programme's name itself is a testament to linguistic inclusivity, blending English, Bengali, and Kokborok languages. "Skill" represents individual empowerment, "Uday" means "rise" in Bengali, and "Tongnai" signifies "inauguration" in Kokborok, symbolizing a transformative journey of youth development. CM Manik Saha emphasized that while the government cannot generate government jobs for every unemployed individual, acquiring modern skills can enable youth to explore diverse employment avenues, generate personal income, and potentially create jobs for others.

A standout feature of the initiative is the 'Drone Didi' programme, which will train 75,000 girls in cutting-edge drone technology. This innovative approach opens up career opportunities in various sectors, including filmmaking, disaster management, emergency supplies delivery, geographical surveying, and precision agriculture. By focusing on emerging technologies, the programme aims to enhance women's workforce participation and provide lucrative opportunities in advanced technological fields.

The EEE (English, Employability, and Entrepreneurship) Programme forms another crucial component of the skill development strategy. It encompasses three key areas: spoken English training to improve communication skills, employability skills to meet industry demands, and entrepreneurial training to encourage self-employment and business ventures. Additionally, the Chief Minister proposed introducing GST and taxation training at the school level to improve financial literacy among students.

During the inauguration, CM Saha highlighted Tripura's economic achievements, noting the state's impressive performance in rubber wood and tea production, where it ranked 5th nationally last year. He also revealed that Tripura has the second-highest GST collection in the Northeast, demonstrating the state's growing economic potential.

The event featured a remarkable drone technology display by TIT students, showcasing the state's commitment to technological innovation. CM Saha stressed the importance of investing in advanced technologies like AI, robotics, and drone operation to ensure youth remain competitive in the evolving job market.

Furthermore, the Chief Minister distributed various tool kits among skilled trainees, symbolizing the government's direct support for skill development and entrepreneurship. This gesture reinforces the programme's practical approach to empowering young individuals with tangible resources and skills.

The 'Skill-Uday Tongnai' programme represents a comprehensive strategy to address unemployment by focusing on skill enhancement, technological training, and entrepreneurship. By providing financial aid, training in emerging technologies, and encouraging self-employment, Tripura is setting a progressive model for youth empowerment and economic development that could inspire other states.

As the programme unfolds, it is expected to significantly reduce unemployment, create new economic opportunities, and transform Tripura into a hub of skilled professionals and innovative entrepreneurs. The multilingual, technology-driven approach demonstrates a forward-thinking strategy that prioritizes youth potential and economic growth.