Minister for DoNER, Tourism and Culture Shri G Kishan Reddy today attended the launch of a special skill development initiative for the North East Region by the Ministry of Skill Development - ‘Transforming Lives, Building Futures’- Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in North East, in presence of Minister of Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, MoS for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrashekhar.
Minister appreciated skill ministry for the initiative which would usher in a new dawn in skill development and entrepreneurship ecosystem in the region. He further added that the program will prove to be a game changer for 2.5 lakh youth in the region and also give wings to the aspirations and dreams of the North East Region.
He further added that this initiative will not only provide youth a distinct place in the Domestic and International Job Market, but will also empower entrepreneurs to take North East to newer heights.
Shri G. Kishan Reddy said that establishing a robust skill and entrepreneurship ecosystem in the region will help tap into the immense potential of the region in sectors such as agriculture, horticulture, tourism, services, IT etc. He added that, a skilled and talented workforce will be the key to developing the North East Region as the growth engine of India.
Shri Reddy reiterated the firm belief of Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi that India cannot develop without the development of the North Eastern Region. He said that over the past 9 years, path breaking efforts have been undertaken in connectivity and infrastructure. He further added that more than 5 lakh crore have been spent in the last 9 years which has accelerated the pace of unprecedented development in the NER.
Highlighting few achievements in infrastructure, he stated that till 2014 there were only 9 airports, but today NER has 17 airports, giving a boost to tourism and mobility. He said that work is going on road projects worth more than 1.02 lakh crores and about Rs 82,000 crore has already been spent for railway connectivity. Citing the rapid pace of work he said that work is ongoing on 121 Railway Tunnels. He added that the government is working on the target of full telecom connectivity to the North Eastern region within 500 days - which is targeted by the end of 2023.
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