UP Skill Development Mission has made reading daily newspaper mandatory in all training centres. Its objective is to increase the general knowledge, self-confidence and employability of the youth, so that they can become aware and competitive citizens.
Lucknow. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Uttar Pradesh government is not limiting the youth to just teaching skills, but is making new experiments to make them aware, self-reliant and competitive citizens. In this direction, Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission (UPSDM) has taken an important decision and made reading daily newspapers mandatory in all short-term skill training centers of the state.
At present, more than one lakh youth are taking training in various trades in more than 800 training centers running in 75 districts of the state. Now, along with technical skills, these trainees will also be regularly connected with national and world news, current events and general knowledge.
Yogi government’s thinking: understanding with skill
According to Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Vocational Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Kapil Dev Aggarwal, the government wants the youth of the state to be technically capable and also understand the social, economic and global scenario. The objective of this initiative is to increase the employability of the youth, strengthen self-confidence, develop communication skills and promote analytical thinking, so that they can perform better in the competitive environment.
Now every class starts with news
According to the new instructions, in the batches of all the schemes including State Skill Development Fund, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana and Project Praveen, the class will start with reading the newspaper. It has been made mandatory for Training Providers (TP) and Project Implementation Agencies (PIAs) to provide at least one Hindi and one English newspaper daily at every centre.
Soft skills and general knowledge will benefit
The Mission believes that regular reading of newspapers will strengthen the general knowledge and current affairs of the youth, which is essential for government and private jobs. Editorial articles will improve language, vocabulary and expression. Analyzing news will develop critical thinking and strengthen decision making ability. Whereas puzzles, cultural articles and motivational material will enhance qualities like patience, concentration and sensitivity in the students.
Strict monitoring and immediate implementation
This order has been implemented with immediate effect. District Coordinators, MIS Managers, DPMs and BPMs have been instructed to review this activity during monthly inspections and mention the same in their reports. The special thing is that no separate budget will be given for this initiative, rather it has been considered a part of the training process.
Initiative towards making responsible citizens
According to Mission Director Pulkit Khare, the Yogi government does not want to limit skill development to just employment. By including newspaper reading in the curriculum, efforts are being made to develop awareness, leadership abilities and global understanding among the youth, so that they can become responsible citizens of the digital age.