Car Nicobar, July 29: The new Industrial Training Institute (ITI) at Car Nicobar has brought new hopes to the unemployed youth of Car Nicobar. Before the inauguration of this ITI at Lapathy in March this year by the Lt. Governor, the school dropouts were dealing with the burden of an insecure future.
There were middle aged people too, who had left their studies after class 10th and 12th years ago and were clueless about the future options. But the ITI has opened new doors for them.
The ITI in association with the Chennai based Skill development Initiative Institution has started few short term courses. The In charge of the ITI unit Shri Roger David informed that right now the courses of ‘Mason’, ‘Plumber’ and ‘Wireman’ are offered and the interest of the trainees are very encouraging. The duration of each course is 3 months, and 20 students are given admission in each trade, so that proper attention is given to each individual. In wireman course the 3rd batch is now getting trained and in the other two disciplines, examinations are presently on. A total of 60 students are taking training of the different life skill trades.
The Instructor of the ‘Wiremen’ trade Shri Bimal Kumar Singh sharing his experience told that initially the youth were reluctant to join the course, but on counselling they could understand the utility of these courses and their response was very good. He informed that the Unit conducts awareness camps in different villages periodically, with the help of the village captain, to encourage the unemployed youth to join the courses.
The in-charge of the ‘Mason’ faculty Shri R. Tirupati told that apart from training in the respective trades, various other activities are also conducted to develop leadership qualities among these tribal youth who are generally shy of it. Efforts are being made to create a ‘feel at home’ atmosphere in the campus to keep up their interest. Sports events are also included in their curriculum, he said.
The participation of the girls is a very positive sign at the centre. One of the trainee undergoing ‘wireman’ trade Kumari Mary Magdelene of Perka village said that she could not continue her studies after passing class XII few years back due to some reasons, but this ITI has given her the opportunity to learn the skills which will be very beneficial.
The enthusiasm of the 45 years Ms Lily Vellary of Sawai, to learn the basics of ‘Mason’, is commendable. She told that the course has a given new direction to her life.
The Management also plans to introduce ‘draftsman’ and ‘surveyor’ courses in the coming years, once the construction work of the building in Arong village gets completed.