Bhubaneswar, June 17: The city saw a congregation of more than 500 skilled professionals from across the state at the launch of Odisha Skill Development Authority (OSDA).
Various technical skill based kiosks were set up by various government Industrial Training Institutes from Rourkela, Talcher, Berhampur, Umerkote and Balasore and private firms such as Larsen &Toubro, Gnosis and Sahi Export. Experts of the Central Institute of Plastics Engineering and Technology (CIPET) and Central Tools and Training Centre also showcased their technical expertise.
It was later followed by an interactive session with OSDA chairman and principal driver of the Skilled in Odisha movement Subroto Bagchi.
The authority aims at creating a pool of eight lakh skilled professionals from Odisha over the next three years. Bagchi spoke on the professionalism that a technical worker should possess to be become a skilled professional.
The session was taken forward by Sudarshan Pattnaik who spoke about his humble beginning and foray in sand art.
Similarly, role models from various fields such as Munni Tigga, a loco-pilot, and skilled ITI technician Nunnaram Hansda spoke on their journey and how to become a skilled professional. Entrepreneurs Surendra Sahu, Anil Kumar Nayak and Bangalore-based sewing operator Jayanti Patra interacted with the students and urged them to move forward in the career paths.
Bagchi stressed on the need to have more girl students in institutes imparting skill training.
He said there would be a massive drive to enrol girl students at skill institutions in order to ensure 50 per cent representation by 2020.
To encourage more girl students, the state government has decided to celebrate July 15 as the "Girl Child Skills Day." Bagchi pointed out the need for "role models" at every institute for the students to emulate and build their aspiration levels. This would help students push their limits and take skill training seriously.
The state government has directed all government Industrial Training Institutes and polytechnics to have a prominently displayed "Hall of Fame" of at least 10 successful students who have gone outside the state or districts and made a name.
Bagchi said in several it is students were made to sleep on the floor.
"No ITI will continue with this and ensure that students are treated with respect. Only this will boost their self esteem," he said.
Bagchi added that the students would be provided medical insurance and proper uniforms. The National Institute of Fashion Technology has been asked to design a uniform for these students.
"We have asked them to design it in such a way that students feel proud to wear them," said Bagchi.
Chief minister Naveen Patnaik felicitated the role models and gave away appointment letters to some students.
