Ranks, unfortunately, take the centre-stage in academics with little or no focus on actual skills, and that was why the Central government launched the Skill India Mission, to enable Indian youth to undergo industry-relevant skill training that would gain them employment, said Union Minister of State for Home G. Kishan Reddy.
Delivering the convocation address of the Aurora’s Scientific Technological and Research Academy here, Mr. Reddy said grades do not decide one’s survival skills in the real world and what drives students towards success was the belief in their capabilities and innovative thinking.
Citing the example of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), he said the recent Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan space missions were proof that strong determination and talent can make people do the impossible. India was never even considered a competitor to the U.S.A., Europe or Russia in space exploration. But today, the country launches the satellites of other countries as well.
“India is the first country to successfully launch the Mangalyaan into the Red Planet’s orbit in its very first attempt, while Chandrayaan -2’s mission will explore the south polar region of the moon that has not been explored by any other country,” he said.
The Minister said the ISRO also set the record for launching the highest number of satellites (104) on a single rocket. “Despite our humble beginnings, we gave the privileged bigwigs of space exploration a run for their money,” he said.
Mr. Reddy said the Centre was focusing on providing the best inputs through education to youngsters. The Digital India programme, identification of 20 public and private national institutes of excellence and empowering girls with ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padao’ were big steps in that direction. The idea is to empower the youth to have a more logical approach to development and progress through enhancement of quality, he added.
Later, the Minister presented awards and medals to toppers and those who graduated.
