Twenty eight member Indian contingent for the WorldSkills International competition being held in Abu Dhabi from October 14 to 19, 2017 was given a warm send-off in New Delhi on October 11. The union skills minister Dharmendra Pradhan while wishing them the very best also announced a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh for gold medal winners, Rs 8 lakh for silver medalists and Rs 6 lakh for those who will win bronze medal at the biannual world skills competition. Those who bring some other form of laurels will be given Rs 2 lakh. These cash prizes are in tune with making skills more aspirational for the youth of the country and celebrate skills.
India will be participating in 26 categories, each having a team of competitor, expert and required interpreter. This year around 1200 competitors from 70+ countries will compete across 50 skills. This is the sixth time that India will be taking part in these skills ‘Olympics’ that began in 2007.
NSDC under the guidance of Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship or MSDE, had identified all the competitors through a series of competitions organized at regional and national levels over the past two years. Post which all the candidates have undergone extensive training with Industry partners, which has helped them improve their skills before the competition. Large number of candidates has also travelled overseas to train under the guidance of some of the best trainers and experts available internationally.
“We need to bring momentum to the Skill India campaign and I would encourage more and more youth to come forward and participate in these opportunities being extended to them,” minister Pradhan said while wishing the contingent success. Dr. KP Krishnan, Secretary, MSDE said, “I would like to extend my heartiest congratulations to all my young friends who have the honor of representing the country at a global platform of WorldSkills. The fact that skills need to be made and felt aspirational is something that the Hon’ble Prime Minister has emphasized in every speech; and platforms like WorldSkills which is a kind of Olympics of skills will only motivate youth in India to achieve this goal of our country.”
This competition is going to enrich them with experience and exposure to the best practices and skills in their own field which will help them become a better skilled individual who follows the right processes eventually becoming a good leader. These young champions will become the resource of inspiration for generation to come. I wish the team best wishes and hope for the best results.
