Centre for empowerment of women, youth through skills

Vijayawada: Union Minister for Urban Development M Venkaiah Naidu gave away awards to the promising entrepreneurs and leaders from various districts of the State, at an event held here on Sunday. “The Central government is going to train our youth and women with potential under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana to enable them be a part of our country’s development,’’ said Venkaiah Naidu, while speaking at the Association of Lady Entrepreneurs of Andhra Pradesh (ALEAP) meeting held to celebrate successful skill training for 10,000 women under ‘Vandemataram’ project.
Naidu reminded that development of the country is only possible if women are financially independent. Women and youth are to be trained to make the most of their talent, which contributes to the increasing economy.
‘’India is growing fast, so it’s the responsibility of government to train the available work force in hospitality, manufacturing, and other service sectors. Under the Kaushal Vikas Yojana, training will be imparted to women and certificates shall be given. They can avail further incentives from government’’, he said.
He further added that team work is essential in achieving success. “One should never forget that as a team, the success is always bigger, greater and wide. I would also like to appeal to the women and youth here to speak in Telugu and propagate it. Mother tongue should be a matter of pride and one should communicate in it. Our culture and traditions are distinctive and are to be preserved,’’ he added.
ALEAP president K Rama Devi said that as many as 12,000 women were trained in several handicrafts, manufacturing and textile and its allied courses across 120 centres in the State of Andhra Pradesh. The target is to train 40,000 women with skills within next two years.
She urged the Union Minister to ensure that the products manufactured by women are popularised by due reservation. There have to be an increase in the marketing avenues for the products made by them and bankers should come forward to encourage women entrepreneurs by offering flexible loans, said Rama Devi.
Later, a book ‘Vijetha’, a collection of success stories of the women, was released. Special recognition award, best women entrepreneur award, start-ups award under Vandemataram project were given away.
Zilla Parishad chairperson Gadde Anuradha, speaking on the occasion, offered support on behalf of the government to enthusiastic women entrepreneurs. Chairperson of the Women Commission Nannapaneni Raja Kumari urged bankers to be encourage women entrepreneurs, especially those hailing from rural parts, buy extending credit facilities.