Bengaluru, April 25, 2025: In a solemn moment of unity and remembrance, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Government of India, led officials, staff, and stakeholders in observing a two-minute silence in memory of the victims of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. The gathering, assembled for “Kaushal Manthan 2025” at Kaushal Bhawan, stood in heartfelt solidarity with the bereaved families and the people of Jammu & Kashmir. Officials stood in this moment of silence which is was not just about mourning the loss— but about reaffirming their commitment to unity, and resilience.

Following the tribute, “Kaushal Manthan 2025” commenced under the theme “Collective Vision for a Skilled Bharat”, bringing together key stakeholders from across ministries, industry bodies, academia, and Sector Skill Councils to discuss a cohesive and future-ready skilling and entrepreneurship strategy for India.

Setting the context, Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, MSDE, highlighted the demographic dividend as India’s strategic advantage. “India is home to one of the largest youth populations globally. Tapping this potential means aligning skilling with market demand, embedding global standards in training, and ensuring that every certificate opens the door to opportunity,” he said. He further emphasized MSDE’s push towards lifelong learning, convergence among institutions, and entrepreneurship as a viable and aspirational career path.

The session on Long-Term Skilling spotlighted transformative opportunities to enhance participation and relevance in vocational education. Participants underlined the potential to increase female enrolment through targeted awareness campaigns and by making skill training more aspirational and accessible. Emphasis was placed on designing new-age courses in collaboration with industry and line ministries, introducing flexible curricula tailored to local needs, and building a robust national pool of skilled trainers. These initiatives aim to empower learners with future-ready capabilities and ensure inclusive growth.

In the Short-Term Skilling session, the focus shifted to aligning skilling initiatives more closely with evolving market needs. Deliberations led to innovative suggestions such as demand aggregation mechanisms, industry-aligned course durations, and embedding vocational training within both school and higher education systems. The importance of a high-quality trainer and assessor ecosystem was also emphasized, positioning them as the backbone of effective and scalable skill delivery.

The Entrepreneurship session showcased the immense potential of local enterprise development to drive grassroots economic transformation. Participants advocated for the creation of entrepreneurial hubs at the district level—serving as integrated one-stop centers for mentorship, finance, capacity building, and shared infrastructure. There was also a strong push to embed financial literacy and entrepreneurial education across school and college curricula, fostering an early and aspirational mindset toward enterprise and innovation.

The session on National Skill Policy and NSQF brought forth ambitious ideas to elevate the quality, mobility, and global relevance of India’s skilling architecture. Key proposals included the standardization of training outcomes to meet international benchmarks and developing tools for proficiency mapping. The group envisioned a seamless integration between education and skilling pathways—through multiple entry and exit options and early vocational exposure in schools. Emphasis was also placed on technology inclusion and increased support for persons with disabilities (PwDs), making the ecosystem more equitable and future-ready.

Adding a powerful technological lens, the workshop featured a compelling presentation by Microsoft on the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in vocational education. The presentation underscored how AI can revolutionize curriculum design, skill assessment, certification, and career guidance. By integrating AI tools within MSDE’s skilling framework, the Ministry is advancing both “skilling for AI” and “skilling with AI,” reinforcing its vision of inclusive, tech-powered learning across India.

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Laxmi Nagar, Delhi | 23 April 2025

In a strong display of public solidarity, a candle march was held in Laxmi Nagar, East Delhi, on Tuesday evening to protest the recent terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmir. The peaceful procession was led by renowned English litterateur and social thinker Dr. Birbal Jha, under the banner of the Mithilalok Foundation.

Speaking to the gathering, Dr. Birbal Jha condemned the barbaric act, saying, “This cowardly act of terrorism is a direct assault on humanity. It must be met with the strongest condemnation, and those responsible must face the full force of justice.”

Dr. Jha called upon the Government of India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, to take swift and resolute action against those responsible for the attack.

“We cannot remain silent in the face of such brutality,” Dr Jha emphasized. “We stand united with the families of the victims and offer them our heartfelt condolences. At this critical moment, it is vital that we extend our unwavering support to the government’s efforts to eradicate terrorism and ensure justice is delivered.”

The march concluded with a collective pledge by participants to continue standing against terrorism and supporting all measures aimed at safeguarding innocent lives.

The event drew participation from local residents, youth groups, and civil society members, all echoing a unified message: terrorism has no place in a civilized society.

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