On World Youth Skills Day, marked every year on July 15, several notable milestones and initiatives were announced pointing towards a revitalisation of dying arts and a thrust towards evolving new-age skill sets in the country. At the forefront of these developments were the successful revival of Namda Art from Jammu and Kashmir, and the launch of AI for India 2.0 by the Union Minister of Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
World Youth Skills Day: Celebrating Skills for a Brighter Future
Designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2014, World Youth Skills Day is observed annually on July 15. It underscores the significance of equipping young minds with critical skills that open doors to employment opportunities, decent work conditions and entrepreneurship capabilities. The theme for World Youth Skills Day 2023 is “Skilling Teachers, Trainers, and Youth for a Transformative Future”, emphasizing that the key to navigating future challenges lies in effective skills development.
Namda Art: A Dying Art Form Revived
Namda Art originated in the 16th century when Mughal Emperor Akbar sought protective coverings for his horses and it was brought to Kashmir by Sufi saint Shah-e-Hamdan. This traditional Kashmiri felted carpet is made by compressing sheep wool into layers and sprinkling water on them. Despite suffering a severe decline due to various factors, the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana under the Skill India project developed an intensive short-term training curriculum to revive this endangered craft, resulting in the successful export of the first batch of Namda Art products to the UK.
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana: A Beacon for Skill Development
The Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) is a flagship scheme under the Skill India Mission launched in 2015 with the ambitious goal to train over 40 crore people in India by 2022. With its different versions such as PMKVY 1.0, PMKVY 2.0, PMKVY 3.0 and now, the upcoming PMKVY 4.0, the scheme has aimed at offering free short-term training, certification and monetary rewards, aligning with national missions, focusing on new-age job roles, and strengthening industry partnerships.
Other Skill Development Initiatives: SANKALP, STRIVE Project, TEJAS Initiative
In addition to PMKVY, initiatives like SANKALP, STRIVE Project, and TEJAS are other significant initiatives that have been undertaken to enhance skill development. Furthermore, the implementation of mandatory CSR spending under the Companies Act, of 2013, has resulted in corporations investing over Rs.100,000 crores in various social projects, including those in skill development.
AI for India 2.0: Future Proofing Indian Youth
The AI for India 2.0 is a free online training program focused on Artificial Intelligence, following the successful AI for India 1.0 which offered a course on the Python programming language. Launched in collaboration between Skill India and GUVI, an IIT Madras incubated startup, the program aims to equip Indian youth with cutting-edge AI skills, enhancing employability and fostering skill development. The program is accredited by NCVET (National Council for Vocational Education and Training) and IIT Madras, and offers recognition and certification upon completion.
UPSC Civil Services Examination: Previous Year Question
A previous year question from the UPSC Civil Services Examination exemplifies the importance of understanding flagship schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana. Correctly identifying that the scheme is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, not the Ministry of Labour and Employment, is fundamental to the understanding of this important initiative for youth skill development in India.
