Vimla Pradhan (second left) at the programme in Ranchi on Friday. Picture by Hardeep Singh

Ranchi, July 15: It’s an upward mobility ladder for underprivileged youths with fire in their belly.

State tourism minister Vimla Pradhan today announced that more than 200 needy students would be handpicked and trained by the state to serve tourist spots as caterers and housekeeping staff.

She made this declaration at the 26th foundation day programme of Institute of Science and Management, Pundag.

The training programme, to be sponsored by the Union government and is likely to kick off in a month or so.

The initiative will help the students pick up skills needed by the hospitality and tourism industries, Pradhan said. The training will be held in ISM.

“The field of tourism is a highly untapped job market, too. By honing talents in this field we will hope to create job opportunities,” she said.

Prodded for details, Pradhan added that she had already had talks in this regard with Union tourism minister Subodh Kant Sahay. “Sahay has promised to provide funds for the training. We have already drafted and sent a proposal, which has been accepted,” she said.

The tourism minister later also inspected the campus of the management institute and assured all help possible for its development.

“I have put the development of ISM on my list of priorities. We will ensure that it becomes a well known institute throughout the state and churns out qualified students who bag plum jobs,” she said.

Former Ranchi University vice chancellor K.K. Nag and ISM chairman R.A.K. Verma, were also present at the occasion.