Port Blair, July 30: The valedictory function of the two-day National Seminar on “Empowerment of Women through Skill Development and Training: A Critical analysis of Government Policies and Programmes with special reference to Andaman & Nicobar Islands” was held in the Seminar Hall of JNRM on 29th Jul 2017. The Chief Guest Dr.K.S.Pushpa, Professor, Department of Homescience, Gandhigram Rural Institute, Dindigul, in her address said that JNRM should become a resource center for Women’s Empowerment and Rural Development in Andaman & Nicobar Islands. She felt that the inputs given by the participants in the two days seminar will certainly impact the lives of rural women in developing and enhancing their livelihoods. Like any another literacy viz. Financial and functional, a skill literacy is also required, as suggested by our Prime Ministers Skill India programme, she added. Dr Pushpa congratulated the JNRM students and the Home Science department for taking keen interest and participating in such deliberations. She appreciated their hardwork and determination in exhibiting their talents and skills.
Dr N Francis Xavier,Principal JNRM said, the galaxy of experts from academic to SHGs certainly will bring a change in the development and empowerment of women. He told the visitors that JNRM has more girl students and that is the epitome of empowerment and wanted the students to be the torch bearers in making Skilled Andaman. Shri.K.Venkatesan, HOD, Homescience and Seminar Director described how unemployment could be reduced in these islands by making youths and rural women develop skills in various fields. The National Commission for Women (NCW), New Delhi has special preference and care for the women in Andaman and Nicobar. The islands handcrafts have the capacity to adorn the international marketing arena through injecting employable skills and add on technological intervention and upgradation, he opined. Around 28 researchers from Gandhigram university, Annamalai Univeristy, Rani Channamma University, Belgaum, Model Career Centre of Ministry of Skill Development, CIARI, JNRM, NGOs, C-DAC, NABARD, RSETI and ANSCB, etc., spoke and made presentations in 6 technical session. Earlier Smt Nidhi Shekhawat, Assistant Professor (Homescience) welcomed the gathering and Ms Shalini Vijayalakshmi, Guest faculty (Homescience) proposed vote of thanks. The programme was moderated by Ms Deepali Baroi, II B.Sc Homescience.
