NEW FOUND HOPE

Through the years, weavers have faced innumerable challenges but with the changing trends, they are gaining foothold in the industry, says Priya Jain.

While writing and debating ideas in my head to pen down my thoughts for this article, I noticed that the cotton sari I was wearing has been brought from Varanasi. Last week, I was in Varanasi with my friend along with a native weaver who accompanied us. I have seen his work on social media and I purchased the sari directly from him. In fact, now-a-days many weavers are active on social media. They are not dependent upon middlemen or wholesalers. My wardrobe is packed with Varanasi saris but for the past two years, I have never visited any showroom. Digitally savvy weavers contact me on social media and that's how I come across great deals. There are a number of government organisations like Weavers Service Centre and common facility centres to provide them all sort of guidance and cooperation. The modus - operandi of business and lifestyle of many weavers of Varanasi has been completely changed. This distinct change from the days of their forefathers and grandfathers reveals the impact of Skill India Mission.

During 44th World Skills Competition at Dubai, Skill India trained team created history by winning a silver, bronze and nine medallions of excellence in skills like mechatronics, brick-laying, restaurant services, automobile technology, jewellery, graphic design technology, mobile robotics, beauty therapy and car painting.

A few months back, I was the Chief Guest at an event at Delhi. An individual from the team comprising make-up artists introduced herself. She hails from a remote district of Jharkhand. After getting training in beauty and hair course from the Kaushal Vikash Yojna, she is a self- dependent woman. I saw dreams dancing in her eyes. She is a glaring and living example of the impact of Skill India Mission.

As per government report, more than 1.04 crore youth have been trained under the Skill India Mission in the year 2015-16 and 9.70 lakh candidates settled till date. According to one report published in a leading newspaper, data revealed that, of the 30.67 lakh candidates who had been trained or were undergoing training across the country in June 2017, only 2.9 lakh had received placement offers.

There are three established facts. Firstly, Skill India Mission is “ demand-driven, reward-based” programme. Secondly, unemployment is a serious concern and thirdly, the problem of unemployment would not have acquired such proportions if India had initiated the skill mission for its youth soon after Independence.

Through skill training, the country has improved remarkably though the absence of job linkages create hurdle in achieving the target. Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship rightly says, “We have to think big because a lot of technologies are coming due to which conventional jobs are squeezed and new verticals are emerging.”

Skill Development Mission was approved by the Union cabinet and Prime Minister officially launched it soon after. The government now plans to skill 40.2 crore workers by 2022. India is on a path to write one of the strongest economic growth stories in the 21st century.

Source: http://www.dailypioneer.com/vivacity/new-found-hope.html