Agartala, July 1: As part of the Chief Minister’s Skill Development Project, a group of 24 trainees, including five women, today left for Kolkata to undergo training in the tourism and hospitality sector. This is the second batch to be sent under this initiative, which is being implemented by the Department of Industries and Commerce with support from the Tourism and Hospitality Sector Skill Council.
The 72-day residential training program, to be held in Barasat, Kolkata, is being provided free of cost. The training is being facilitated by Essensive EduCare Pvt. Ltd.
This afternoon, the journey began from the Women’s ITI campus in Indranagar, where Industries and Commerce Minister Smt. Santana Chakma flagged off the bus carrying the trainees to MBB Airport. The group is scheduled to board a 7 PM flight to Kolkata.
Addressing a gathering organized at the ITI Conference Hall, Minister Santana Chakma extended her best wishes to the trainees and said, “Honesty, dedication, and hard work are the keys to success—there are no shortcuts.” She emphasized that the state government wants its youth to become self-reliant and bring pride to Tripura.
The Minister highlighted that the Chief Minister’s Skill Development Project allocates ₹10 crore annually, enabling young people from various communities—including tribal youth—to find employment not only in Tripura, but across India and even abroad. “Such initiatives were rare in the past,” she remarked, noting that both central and state governments are focusing on empowering the youth through sector-specific training programs.
She also mentioned that training is being imparted in various subjects through state-run ITIs, and that self-help groups across the state are being provided with loans to promote financial independence. “Today, Tripura has nearly 80,000 ‘Lakhpati Didis’ (self-made women millionaires),” she added.
S.C. Das, Additional Director of the Skill Development Department, while welcoming the trainees, noted that 42 candidates were sent in the first batch to Barasat. Many of them are now employed in cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Pune, and Goa. Narendra Nath Pal, GM of Essensive EduCare, also addressed the gathering.
During the event, three successful candidates from the first batch were awarded certificates by the Minister and other dignitaries. A short video showcasing the success stories of the first batch trainees was also screened.
Also present were Joint Director of Industries and Commerce Sateertha Pal, Principal of Women’s ITI Bhaskar Debbarma, and Principal of Boys’ ITI Jorindra Tripura, among others.
