New Delhi: The President of India Mr Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the India Skills Competition -‘India Skills-2016’ today (July 15, 2016) in New Delhi on the occasion of the World Youth Skills Day. He also launched an International Skill Centre, a PMKVY 2.0, a Labour Market Information System and Skills Online.
Addressing the public, the President congratulated the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) for their achievements in a short span of time. Mr Mr Pranab Mukherjee said that India is a young nation with 62% of its population in the working age group and more than 54% of the total population below 25 years of age. As a consequence, around 15 million youth enter the workforce each year. “Young minds are our assets. India should take advantage of demographic dividend.” said the President.
The President mentioned that recently skill development of 1500 employees of Rashtrapati Bhavan was undertaken by the MSDE. He stated that unemployment is a serious challenge for India as in the age group of 18-29 years, the unemployment rate is 12.9%.
On the occasion the President was also presented his portrait made by Shri Vilas Naik at the venue itself.
The other dignitaries who attended the function along with the President are Mr Venkaiah Naidu, Union Minister of Urban Development, Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation and Information & Broadcasting; Mrs Smriti Irani, Union Minister of Textiles; Shri Prakash Javedekar, Union Minister of Human Resource Development; Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (I/C), Prime Minister’s Office; and Mr Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (I/C).
