Since Jayant Chaudhary has assumed the position of the union Minister of State (I/C), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) this June, he has been personally involved in various activities of his ministry with the keenness of a passionate scholar and a willing leader.
The Indian delegation at WorldSkills 2024 in Lyon, France, comprising of 60 competitors is the 4th largest contingent in this skill ‘Olympics.’ By choosing to visit the team and speak individually with each one them to boost their morale, the minister has yet again proved his unequivocal attention to his work. This augurs well for the skilling ecosystem and those people who have been championing skilling for years now.
During two days (Sep 11-12) of his visit, the Minister, accompanied by Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, MSDE, actively engaged with the Indian competitors, who are participating in 52 skills, including robotics, web development, joinery, hospitality, 3D Digital Game Art, Additive Manufacturing, Autobody Repair, Chemical Lab Technology, Cloud Computing, Cyber Security, Digital Construction and culinary arts.
This visit also underscored India’s unwavering commitment to global skills development and proudly showcasing the nation’s talent on the international stage. Speaking on his engagement with the Indian participants, the minister remarked, “Watching our competitors in action, I am truly impressed by their dedication and passion. Visiting their booths, it’s clear that they are working tirelessly and with great enthusiasm. As a nation, we take immense pride in our young talent. I am confident that their exceptional performance will lead us to victory, reinforcing skilling as a cherished and aspirational value in India.” The minister bserved their performances as they competed against teams from Germany, France, Switzerland, China, and Korea. Taking a keen interest in the competition rules, marking systems, and the challenges they encountered, he expressed immense pride in their impressive performance on this esteemed global stage.
On the sidelines of the event, Chaudhary, also engaged in significant discussions with Ministers and representatives of other member countries, aiming to enhance global skill development efforts. These included Professor Paul Mavima (MP), Minister of Skills Audit and Development, Zimbabwe, Amb (Designate) Prof. Peter Ngure, Permanent Delegate of Kenya to UNESCO, Chris Humphries, President and Chair of the Board, WorldSkills International, and Mr. Fahar Ali, CEO, WorldSkills Asia, along with Mr. San-Quei Lin, Board Member – Strategic Development on the sidelines of the Competition. The discussions centered on strengthening India’s position in the WorldSkills and enhancing collaboration to elevate the nation’s performance in future competitions.
The minister also attended key sessions of the WorldSkills Conference, a platform for global leaders to discuss the future of skills and vocational education.
Competing against the best from countries like China, Japan, France, Germany, and Switzerland, they stand tall, representing the spirit of a New India. Driven by the vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi of making India the Skill Capital of the World, these young talents embody resilience, innovation, and global competitiveness. Their grit and focus are unmatched, and I am confident they will shine on this world stage,” said Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, MSDE, who accompanied the minister.
The WorldSkills Conference also saw discussions around – “Moving TVET to the Top of the Global Agenda”, multiple sessions and conferences on the sideline of the WorldSkills witnessed speakers from all over the world, representing a diverse range of experiences and expertise, a global community helping shape the future of skills and Technical Vocational and Training.
Indian contingent
With over 13,000 attendees from across the globe, Team India made a remarkable impression at the WorldSkills 2024 competition, standing out with their distinct ceremonial attire that showcased the nation’s rich cultural heritage, exquisite craftsmanship, and sartorial elegance at the opening ceremony.
The competition is an impressive array of talent from across India. Jaanhvi, hailing from Punjab, showcased her innovative use of Graphic Design Technology, while Ashwitha Police from Telangana demonstrated exceptional skills in Pâtisserie and Confectionery. Kamini Kumari Ram from Odisha broke barriers in the traditionally male-dominated field of Welding with her mastery of hydrostatic pressure testing. Meanwhile, Emily VL Thakimi and Maximus Lalruatkima from Mizoram impressed with their expertise in Fashion Technology and Floristry, respectively.
The showcase continued with Tufan Mal from West Bengal, who displayed exquisite craftsmanship in Jewellery making, and Hariharan Arumugam from Tamil Nadu, excelling in a speed painting competition. Rahul Vishwakarma from Madhya Pradesh brought modern Carpentry techniques to the forefront, while Subhrajit Patra from Odisha showcased his expertise in Restaurant Service. Finally, Jayasurya Kathirvel Sivakumar from Tamil Nadu impressed with his skill in handling concrete pumps, rounding off an outstanding display of talent across diverse fields. They also witnessed the level of talent in Anagha Chemenghat, in Digital Construction, rendering 3D building models from datasets; Darshan Gowda CS and his skill in addressing his challenge in Mechatronics.
