PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Haldwani
The Cabinet minister, Saurabh Bahuguna urged students to stay focused on their goals, acquire industry-relevant skills and make optimum use of government schemes to build successful careers. He said this while addressing the ‘Yuva Samvad’ programme organised by the ruling BJP’s youth wing, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) in Nainital on Monday. He interacted with the students present and answered their queries on employment, entrepreneurship, skill development and career opportunities. “The state government has placed skill development and youth employment at the centre of its development agenda,” he said.
Stressing on the role of initiatives, he said that the government would provide opportunities, training and financial support. “But the youngsters must take the initiative to shape their own future by availing these opportunities in full,” he said, adding that over 40,000 youths have secured employment through multiple government initiatives, opening new avenues for economic growth in the State.
Highlighting the government’s focus on global employment, the minister said that Uttarakhand is preparing its youth for overseas job markets through the Chief Minister Skill Up-gradation and Global Employment Scheme. Citing a recent success story, he said that a young woman from Tehri Garhwal had secured a job in Germany with a monthly salary package of over Rs 3.30 lakh. “Similar efforts are underway to prepare candidates for employment opportunities in countries such as Japan,” he added.
Bahuguna said that the Uttarakhand Skill Development Mission (UKSDM) and the Employment Linked Skill Training Programme (ELSTP) are providing free, demand-driven skill training to unemployed youth, enabling them to secure jobs and become self-reliant.
Emphasising entrepreneurship, he said that nearly 1,200 startups have been set up by the young entrepreneurs in Uttarakhand with support from various government schemes. “The future of Uttarakhand and the country rests with its youth,” he declared.
He also cautioned students against blindly believing information circulating on social media, noting that artificial intelligence-generated content, misinformation and fake news are increasingly common on digital platforms. “Be selective about what you consume online and always verify facts,” he advised.
Stressing the importance of democratic participation, Bahuguna urged the first-time and young voters to exercise their franchise responsibly, saying every vote contributes to shaping governance and development over the next five years.
Among those present at the programme were the MLA Mohan Singh Bisht and the chairman of the Nainital Milk Federation, Mukesh Bora.
