Rayagada: Youths demand for Digital Learning Centers (DLCS), alternative skilling opportunities in all GPs
By Dr Gouranga Charan Rout
Rayagada, July 21: On the occasion of observation of the UN’s World Youth Skill Day on July 15, Sparsh Social Foundation of JK Paper deliberated upon the topic ‘Skilling Ecosystem’ initiated by Sparsh under JK CSR programme. Hundreds of youths from different parts of the district participated and deliberated on the subject.
The participants pleaded for undertaking ‘Skilling Ecosystem’ across Rayagada district to benefit more number of youths.
Inagurating the event , the assistant director of handicraft department (ADH) of Rayagada Mr Dahrua said , ‘Sparsh Social Foundation & JK Paper is probably the only company in the district has undertaken massive digital literacy programmes for youths which has benefited them broadly in the areas of direct employments in different companies and motivate them to aspire to build career in computer applications and digitalization , after trained from 10s of Digital Literacy Centers( DLCs) set up in different villages in remote pockets by the company.’
The ADH has also highlighted how new skill areas such as Bamboo Jewelry design and production, by young girls has emerged innovate transformative alternative skilling for sustainable and future career paths for the youths in Rayagada .
He said his department has issued artisan certificates to jewelry making girls from the government to benefit them credit supports, insurance , sponsoring training and capacity building costs to set up more such units and finally pensions in their old age .
The GM & State Head Sparsh Social Foundation, JK Paper CSR, Mr. Prafulla Kumar Dhal said ‘if youth can ideate innovatively, they can start their own enterprises without any investments from their sides.
‘This is what JK CSR has demonstrated in its CSR programs for youths, women, and farmers by aiming to create 100s of aspired and inspired tribal youths in the district , by setting up 100s of youth clubs and Balika mandals in villages.
He said by hundreds of youths have so far been skilled and empowered in areas like computer applications, digital literacy, rural MSMEs and agricultural transformations including fashion technology and apparels sectors on the prospectives of SDG -2030.
He said ,since youths expsoures to the soft skills, career counseling and basic computer and digital learnings proving very strategic for youths in their social, economic and transformative engagements , total 2080 youths have been successfully benefited by digital literacy programs of JK CSR and certified from the skill ministry govt of India.
More so about 130 have joined different companies and 120 have completed advance computer courses free of cost from JK CSR to opting for career in digitalization.
Under Y4SDG, 53 young educated girls have trained in bamboo jewelry and sailing products through E Commerce internationally.
Youths those who participated in the end demanded that like the there JK CSR Digital Learning Centers (DLCs) should be 100s of such DLCs set in in all GPs in the district by the govt and other corporates to provide free of cost basic commuter and Digital exposure to youths as strategy to motivate tribal youths to aspire meaningful career for themselves.
In the end , 25 girls those who have completed training from SSF JKPM on Bamboo Jewelry Designs and production received artisan certificates from the ADH , Rayagada in presence of other dignitaries.
Mr Aditya Pattaniak , Manager CSR welcomes the guests in the beginning and conducted the sessions in the event .
Among others, Mr Biswojit , YP , ORMAS and Mr Ulash Behera from handicraft department , Ms Manushree Ray and Mr Kishore Shau also spoken on the occasion.
Mr Ranjit Behera and Tapan Pedenti of Sparsh coordinated the event.
