Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 25: Indian Institute of Management Jammu inaugurated the Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship-Phase 2, here today.
The chief guest of the event was Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the special guest was Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurships.
Mahatma Gandhi National (MGN) Fellowship is a two-year programme which combines classroom sessions at IIM with an intensive field immersion at the district level to strengthen the district skill administration and the District Skill Committees (DSCs). The Program has been designed by the initiative of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India, and implemented in collaboration with State Skill Development Missions (SSDMs).
Each MGN Fellow will assist the functioning of the local administration and contribute to the creation of a district-level ecosystem to support skill development. IIM Jammu has been given the responsibilities of 48 Districts belonging to Jammu and Kashmir (20), Chandigarh (01), Ladakh (02), Puducherry (02), and West Bengal (23).
While speaking at the event, Dharmendra Pradhan highlighted the importance of investing in skill development and encouraged fellows to work in the districts allotted to them at grassroots level. “Indian youth is full of talent and skill and they should use this to uplift the skill gap that occurs in the country, he said.
In his address, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, encouraged the fellows to keep the skill ecosystem at the back of their mind while working in the district. He also appreciated the role of IIMs in making the program successful and thanked the district skill machinery for their continuous support.
The inaugural session was followed by ice breaking session where MGNF Team and fellows introduced themselves. Professor B S Sahay, Director IIM Jammu stressed upon the role that hard work plays in life. He encouraged students to work against the clock and devote their time towards the overall development of the country.
It was followed by address by Prof Jabir Ali and Dr Muqbil Burhan, the Program Directors (IIMJ) for MGNF who also stressed upon the opportunities and the challenges that lie ahead.