IMPHAL, February 12: Chairman of the National Skill Development Agency government of India, Subramanian Ramadorai said “We travel in the different parts of the country to see skill development programmes and what needs to be done in the area.”
Ramadorai who is also the advisor to the Prime Minister of India was speaking to media persons in the sideline of a visit to Tongou (Ringui) Village in Ukhrul district.
A central team led by the NSDA chairman visited the village today to witness the richness of art and culture, handicrafts, etc.
The NSDA chairman was overwhelmed by the performances showcased by the village performers during the Central team’s reception programme.
The team was received by the villagers in full traditional attires and escort them to the main venue where folk songs were performed.
The villagers also performed traditional dances and skits and presented various traditional shawls, bags, spears, waistcoat of the Tangkhul to the team.
Overwhelmed by the fine handloom products on showcase during the reception function, the NSDA chairman encouraged the villagers to increase their production so that they could export them to the outside world.
But in order to sell our products in the international markets, we need to maintain the quality, right designs and price of our products, he observed.
Stressing on the importance of skill development among the youth, Ramadorai said skill development will only benefit the youth, but they also should be passionate about educating themselves.
The skills may be in weaving, art, culture, crafts, computer, technology etc, but such skill development programmes should be initiated from the school level, he asserted.
Speaking of his itinerary, he said this is his first visit to the State and was invited by the Chief Minister.
Before reaching the State, he had stopped at Nagaland and will continue his tour of the North Eastern State by travelling to Tripura tomorrow before returning to the national capital.
Meanwhile, the Tongou Village Authority submitted a memorandum a memorandum to the NSDA chairman demanding establishment of a Tangkhul Film Development Centre in the village.
This will help the Tangkhul artistes from the district to collaborate with film centre’s from around the country so as to enhance the quality of the Tangkhul films, it said.
The visiting team also included chairman FICCI North East and also advisor to the Chief Minister of Assam Ranjit Barthakur, head ignite Tata Consultancy Services Raman Srinivasan, OSD to advisor to the Chief Minister of Assam Sanjid Dutta, Tata Consultancy Service Jongam Lahker, Deputy Inspector General of Police Manipur IK Muivah, SP Ukhrul Ningsem and New York based film maker and critic L Somi Roy.
The village headman Atem A Shimray expressed gratitude to the advisor for visiting the village which lie in the remotest area of the State and for his assurance to take up various forms of skill developments in the State.
The visiting team also donated five sets of computers including solar plate and electric invertor.