Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, inaugurated the Rashtriya Udyamita Vikas Pariyojana in Sambalpur, Odisha, on Tuesday, to foster entrepreneurship and empower the youth workforce, according to an official announcement. The initiative was launched virtually in nine cities, including Bhopal, Kanpur, Indore, Varanasi, Bharatpur, Shillong, Silchar, Dibrugarh, and Guwahati, highlighting its nationwide scope.
The inauguration ceremony was also attended by key dignitaries, including Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE); Shri Rahul Kapoor, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA); Smt. Hena Usman is the joint secretary of MSDE, and Dr Tafheem Uddin Siddiqui is the director of policy of Flipkart Group.
Tailored specifically for beneficiaries of the PM SVANidhi scheme, this unique National Entrepreneurship Development Project underscores the government’s steadfast commitment to nurturing job providers across the nation. The Rashtriya Udyamita Vikas Pariyojana aims to equip individuals with comprehensive entrepreneurship training, aligning with Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of creating job providers rather than job seekers. Recognizing the imperative to adapt to the evolving job market, this initiative focuses on reskilling and upskilling employees to enhance their competitiveness and adaptability in an era of disruptive technology.
Speaking at the launch, Dharmendra Pradhan said:
The launch of the National Entrepreneurship Development Project for the beneficiaries of PM SVANidhi Yojana will help the street vendors and small shopkeepers become more skilled and empower them. He informed us that the government of India has partnered with Flipkart to skill street vendors and small shopkeepers. Under the pilot program, street vendors in 10 big cities of the country will be given a stipend and training to expand their businesses.
He further stated:
After 75 years of independence, the country has found a leader in Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, who has cared for small vendors and businesses. Today, lakhs of such small shopkeepers and traders are becoming self-reliant with the easy loans of Pradhan Mantri SVANidhi Yojana.
The Rashtriya Udyamita Vikas Pariyojana will offer comprehensive entrepreneurship training over 22 weeks, combining theoretical knowledge with practical exposure through experiential learning. The training will be conducted offline, online, and in hybrid modes, with certificates awarded upon completion, enhancing the course’s credibility and value.
During the inauguration ceremony, Shri Pradhan interacted with beneficiaries of the PM SVANidhi scheme from ten states. These beneficiaries shared their experiences with how the plan works as a catalyst for acquiring industry-relevant skill training from reputable companies and boosting their enterprises to new heights.
The inauguration of the Rashtriya Udyamita Vikas Pariyojana reaffirms the government’s commitment to harnessing the nation’s skill potential and realizing the vision of a “Kushal Bharat Viksit Bharat.” The project will be piloted initially in selected districts, with a focus on ensuring 40% participation by women. A robust monitoring framework will follow progress, evaluate impact, and meet quality standards. The inauguration of this project emphasizes the government’s multifaceted approach to skill development, which includes the modernization of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and the establishment of the Skill India Digital (SID) Platform, which provides flexible skilling opportunities across the country.
With a focus on entrepreneurship promotion, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, NIESBUD, and IIE have collectively trained over 17 lakh people in entrepreneurship development initiatives, a significant milestone in India’s journey to foster an entrepreneurial culture.
