Siliguri : As many as 34 candidates from Darjeeling district participated in the 10-day rigorous training programme conducted by the Central Bank of India Rural Self Employment Training Institute (CENT-RSETI), concluded on Thursday.
The participants from Bagdogra, Siliguri, Kalimpong and Darjeeling received training on various modules of products under the Employment Development Programme (EDP) and the Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) absolutely free of cost including food and accommodation.
The training course included skill training on dress designing for women, candle making, soft toys making, training on agriculture, carpet weaving, preparation of domestic products, hand embroidery, painting, cell phone servicing and computer basics.
Lipi Biswas, who runs a water purifier business from Hakimpara, said, “After the training, my self confidence level has risen and I have also gained knowledge on tax benefits, law, business promotion and banking.” Alka Sharma, fashion designer from Bagdogra, explained how she gained valuable experience and knowledge of marketing strategies after the training. Similarly, participants Ashim Saha, Chetan Sharma, Manik Shah and Rosy Nandi said they are very much satisfied with the training and have gained a lot of knowledge.
Pinaki Ranjan Chakraborty, director of CENT-RSETI (Darjeeling), said, “Lack of proper guidance and unemployment have compelled lakhs of people to migrate to other states and countries in search of jobs. Many of them fall prey to traffickers and criminals in the process. Amid such a scenario, the need to promote self-employment opportunities for unemployed rural youth, particularly for those below the poverty line, and periodic skill up-gradation to keep abreast with the latest technological advances need not be overstated.”
He said the first batch for this financial year had 34 trainees in total and they received training on various products under two categories, a six and a 10-day training programme. The second batch of training will start from May 16 at the Central Bank of India, Siliguri branch and interested candidates can register by providing identify proofs and photographs, added the official.
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