Nupur Tiwari
New Delhi, July 30, 2024 – The National Tribal Research Institute (NTRI), under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, organised a workshop titled “Empowering Tribal Youth with New Age Skills” at National Tribal Research Institute , Indian Institute of Public Administration. The objective of the workshop was to equip tribal youths with the new age skills and knowledge which is necessary to succeed in today’s rapidly changing world.
The workshop covered a range of topics, including Learning New Age Skills, Initiatives of Government for Building Entrepreneurial Skills in Youth, Empowering Youth through Entrepreneurship and Vocational Training for a Sustainable Future, Experience Sharing by Tribal Youth Scholars and New Age Entrepreneurs. The sessions was led by experienced professionals and scholars from the Universities, government and non-government organisations, start-up incubators, industry, and successful tribal entrepreneurs.
This workshop is a valuable opportunity for tribal youth to gain the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the 21st century.
In the inaugural session Chief Guest, Member, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes Shri Nirupam Chakama talked about New Age Skills for tribal youths. He emphasised that Tribal Youths are more capable to adopt new things and challenging environment. He also said that In 2014, the United Nations General Assembly declared the 15th July as World Youth Skills Day. And, stressed on the inclusion of new age skills including computer literacy, data science, artificial intelligence, AI learning and skill enhancement for the tribal youths.
He gave an example of a North East Region where more than 300 tribal youth are participating to enhance their skills, education, and getting training. Director General of Indian Institute of Public Administration Shri Surendar Nath Tripathi, Retd. IAS stressed on need of primary education in local dialects for the tribal and non tribal youths. Every act in life is skill which should be improved, for example communication is also a skill. In the same session Special Director, NTRI, Professor Nupur Tiwary mentioned that the United National General Assembly declared 15th of July as World Skills Day to commemorate the strategic significance of equipping the youth with valuable new age knowledge. She also quoted, Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement about skill development of new generation that is a national need and is the foundation of “Aatmanirbhar Bharat”. Further in the inaugural session Vice Chancellor of Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) Prof. Deepak Kumar Behera in his special speech also emphasized on adding new age knowledge in tribal areas, especially, communication skills, mobile learning, community involvement, mentorship and vocational programs.
In the technical session of the workshop scholars from different field of study addressed and emphasised the new age skills.
(Special Director, NTRI)