The one-day seminar on ‘Skill Salem Skill India” organised by the Salem Productivity Council in the city on Tuesday strongly advocated institution – industry collaboration for launching more industrial ventures with a view to create more jobs.
The seminar was part of the National Productivity Council Week celebration organised on the theme “Industry 4.0, leapfrog opportunity for India”.
L. Vijayakumar, Chairman, Task Force, National Observation Committee on India Medicine Enterprise Promotion and Skills, Government of India, said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has attached prime importance for the institution – industry collaboration for creating more jobs by launching industrial ventures.
He said that the Prime Minister has assured total support for all the ventures aimed at promoting industries and employment opportunities.
In this regard, Mr. Vijayakumar called upon Periyar University to take steps for setting up an exclusive cell for institute – industry partnership for fulfilling the dreams of the Prime Minister.
He said that the various departments of the Centre have come forward to promote agri food park and units for the production of herbal medicines taking advantage of the hill stations of Kolli Hills, Yercaud in the region. The Centre has decided to pump in ₹ 500 crore in the near future for this purpose.
He advocated formation of experts committee roping in Periyar University for undertaking benchmark survey in both the fields. The implementation of these projects will go a long way in industrialising the western belt and check unemployment problem.
He said that Salem was one of the leading districts in the implementation of the PMEGP (Prime Minister’s Employment Guarantee Programme) and commended the District Industries Centre for taking initiative for the same.
Patent rights
P. Kolandaivel, Vice-Chancellor, Periyar University, in his inaugural address said that the country has innumerable products to make every Indian proud. But, the need of the hour is to patent these products and create our own brands to sustain in the foreign markets. On the institution – industry collaboration, Dr. Kolandaivel said that a system was already functioning effectively in the University. Efforts have already been taken for strengthening it taking advantage of the scientific as well as skilled workforce possessed by the university.
Nivethitha Ravi, executive-business development, Retailers Association of India (RAI), Coimbatore, said that her association has been involved in solving the problems confronting the manufacturers in marketing their products, besides imparting training.
K. Mariappan, president, Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Salem), in his presidential address said that the industrial ventures could be very well launched in the Panamarathupatti lake area and in the unused lands of the Salem Steel Plant.
P. Ramanathan, president, Salem Productivity Council, Ramachandran, general manager, District Industries Centre, and others spoke.
