Shillong: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Wednesday laid the foundation for the Meghalaya Skill and Innovation Hub in the presence of Governor C.H. Vijayashankar, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, and Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh.
The Vice President launched the CM Business Catalyst: Student B-Plan Challenge in partnership with IIM Shillong and attended the MoU signing ceremony between UNDP and the Meghalaya government to promote entrepreneurship.
Meghalaya Skill and Innovation Hub will be constructed in 6.54 acres in New Shillong at the cost of Rs 77.5 crore. The facility will cater to the requirement of the youth for incubation, training, collaboration and industry partnerships.
Speaking on the occasion, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar lauded Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma for the initiative that would nurture the potential of the young population of the state.
Dhankhar said that the skill and innovation hub would go a long way in promoting entrepreneurship in the state. He also hoped that the human resources of the state would get a boost with the establishment of the centre.
“Skilling of youth is the need of the time,” the Vice President added.
He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has opened a window of opportunities for the youth through different skilling and start-up programmes.
He also informed that Rs 60,000 crore has been earmarked for skilling 5 lakh youths in the country in the next five years.
“The empowerment of the youth will ensure a big economic upsurge in the country,” he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Governor C.H Vijayashankar highlighted the strength and rich resources of the state that would provide opportunities to the youth.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said that Meghalaya’s young population is its strength.
He said, “The state government has been supporting entrepreneurship in a big way and to address the requirement of manpower shortage the skill and innovation hub is being set up.”
“85 percent of our population is below the age of 45. The youth are our greatest strength and asset and we have initiated programme that channelize the strength of our youth,” the Chief Minister said.
He stated that the government has implemented various programs to train youth, enabling them to contribute productively to the state’s development.
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On the promotion of rural entrepreneurs, the chief minister said that government organises various business plan competitions to supports entrepreneurs.
“We provide support and handholding to our entrepreneurs through programmes like CM Elevate, and provide financial subsidies,” he added.
