Focus on empowerment of Chenchus

​Srisailam Project: The Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), in collaboration with the Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC), has come up with several initiatives for the empowerment of Chenchu youth in the Srisailam ITDA Project area comprising Kurnool, Prakasam and Guntur districts.

Vocational training in tailoring, motor vehicle driving, terracotta jewellery-making, mobile phone repair and other trades is being given to tribal boys and girls at the Youth Training Centre at the ITDA Project Office here. The vocational training initiative of the ITDA evoked a tremendous response from tribal youth.

More and more tribal boys and girls have started evincing interest in learning the vocational courses for their empowerment and self-reliance. Free accommodation and food will be provided to the tribal beneficiaries during the training period. There is a steady rise in the number of Chenchu boys and girls, who are undergoing vocational training at the centre.

Traditionally, the Chenchu youth are engaged in collection of forest produce for a living. The ITDA launched the skill development programmes for the tribal youth as a measure to bring them into the mainstream. Coaching is also being provided to the tribal boys to enable them to take part in Army recruitment rally.

Free study material is also being provided to them for competitive examinations. In the wake of a notification issued by the APSRTC for recruitment of women bus drivers, the ITDA proposed provision of training to the tribal women with minimum educational qualifications in heavy vehicle driving. The State government is spending crores of rupees every year for the economic uplift of the primitive Chenchu tribe.
Speaking to The Hans India, ITDA Project Officer Srinivasa Rao said: “Our aim is empowerment of Chenchu youth through provision of vocational training.

The Skill Development Programme has helped create confidence among tribal youth to live independently. It also helps improve the living standards of Chenchus, besides making them self-reliant.

I am sure that the ITDA initiatives will bring about an attitudinal change among Chenchu youth and spur them to join the mainstream by giving up total isolation.”