MODI’S SKILL-DRIVEN VISION!

The narrators share that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has long been aware of the critical role skill development plays in India’s progress. Even before becoming the PM, he prioritised its importance.

PM NARENDRA MODI ENVISIONS SKILLED INDIA FOR A STRONG INDIA - Mahendra Nath Pandey, Former Union Minister

Narendra Modi has long recognised that skill development is crucial for India’s progress, emphasising its importance well before becoming Prime Minister. It was his vision to build a stronger India through a skilled youth population, which led to the formation of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. His strategic focus on empowering the youth through skill development has roots in his tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat and evolved it into a nationwide movement after assuming office as Prime Minister. Even in the early days as Chief Minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi stressed skill development as a gamechanger for the nation. In 2009, at the Chintan Shivir held in Dhordo of Kutch, CM Modi introduced the concept of Kaushalya Vardhan Kendras, emphasising that skill development need not be costly. For instance, he explained that training someone in mobile repair cost only around Rs 10,000, an affordable amount for the government to invest. CM Modi proposed setting up these skill centres in urban areas with population of over 5,000 and in rural areas with more than 3,000 residents. More than 35 skill programmes were developed. Narendra Modi emphasised that skill development is not integrated into the mainstream education system. Many low-income students attending ITIs may not pursue higher degrees and instead seek immediate employment. To address this, CM Modi proposed recognising ITI qualifications as equivalent to 10th and 12th grades, enabling these students to pursue BA and MA degrees without needing traditional 10th and 12th-grade qualifications. Understanding the global importance of English proficiency for career opportunities, CM Modi established SCOPE (Society for Creation of Opportunities through Proficiency in English) in 2007. This initiative aimed to enhance English language skills among youth, particularly for careers in hospitality, tourism, and jobs abroad. The Gujarat Knowledge Society (GKS) was also launched to promote technical education and foster self-reliance through modern technological training. In 2009, Modi further solidified his commitment by launching the Gujarat Skill Development Mission (GSDM) to streamline and coordinate sill development programmes across the state. The National Conference on Skill Development, held in Gandhinagar in September 2013, underlined Gujarat’s leadership and Modi’s foresight in taking skill development to the national level. The Gujarat government even recommended that the then UPA-led central government prioritise skill development, though it wasn’t given the level of importance it required. iCreate (International Centre of Entrepreneurship and Technology) in Gujarat, inaugurated by Narendra Modi in 2012, emerged as a flagship initiative to support entrepreneurship. When Narendra Modi became Prime Minister, one of his early steps was to establish a dedicated Ministry for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Before this, skill development efforts were limited to the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), which was just a small unit under the Finance Ministry. PM Modi’s vision for modernising India’s skilling ecosystem led to the establishment of Kaushal Vikas Kendras (Skill Development Centres) nationwide. Thousands of these centres were opened, and more than 15,000 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), including 3,500–4,000 government institutes, were upgraded into state-of-the-art training facilities. During PM Modi’s visit to Singapore, he showed keen interest in the country’s advanced skilling framework. This experience inspired him to establish the Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) in India. To boost industry involvement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi encouraged industry partnerships, leading to world-class IIS centres in Gandhinagar and Mumbai, developed in collaboration with the Tata Group. PM Modi shared an experience from Gujarat, where Japanese experts were brought in to train skilled workers for Maruti Suzuki’s new automotive plant. He suggested that we replicate this for every major heavy industry project across India. Earlier, ITIs provided only foundational training, but PM Modi upgraded them to deliver market-aligned, highstandard training. The New Education Policy (NEP) also integrates skill-based education at all levels, embedding skilling into mainstream education.

Respect for all makes Narendra Modi so special - Suresh Oberoi, Actor

I remember, during an executive meeting, I was sitting somewhere in the back side, behind the first few rows. The gates were on my side and Modi ji was delivering his speech. Then while leaving, as he walked down towards the gates to exit the venue, I got up with others and folded my hands in greetings. As he went out of the gate, he suddenly turned back and re-entered the hall and then straightaway shook hands with me. I was taken aback by this gesture of warmth. He then told me, “You had called me a few months back, I had got that message. But I am sorry I could not respond to that in time. I will definitely meet you.” Now just see the quality of his character. The incident of my calling him had happened months back. That too I had mistakenly called at his old office number and dropped a message that I wanted an appointment with the PM. From the day he got the message that I had called, he had kept that in his mind despite the passage of all these months. Now imagine the sheer number of people he meets everyday from across the world, the work pressure he handles, the numerous places he visits. Despite all the hectic engagement day in and day out, the PM of the country remembered that I had called and he came back after walking out of the hall just to acknowledge it and assure me the time I had sought to meet him. This is exemplary leadership and raises his stature. I will always cherish this approach of the PM with gratitude.

COMPILED AND EDITED BY SHASHIKANT SHARMA