The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has intensified efforts to transform India’s border villages through skill-led initiatives under the Vibrant Villages Programme, convening a high-level capacity building and review workshop at Kaushal Bhawan. The workshop, themed “Viksit Gaon for Viksit Bharat,” brought together stakeholders from the Ministry of Home Affairs, ministries of Textiles, Tourism and Rural Development, along with state missions and district administrations from Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Sikkim and Uttarakhand. The programme aims to develop 662 border villages into self-reliant “first villages” of the country. MSDE has sanctioned 74 skill development proposals so far, focusing on locally relevant and demand-driven training. Discussions reviewed project progress and flagged key challenges, including trainer shortages, beneficiary mobilisation and infrastructure gaps, while emphasising stronger coordination among stakeholders.
Officials outlined an action roadmap to accelerate implementation, including developing structured project pipelines, expanding in-situ training using schools, ITIs and community centres, and strengthening monitoring systems. Enhanced support through State Skill Development Missions and Sector Skill Councils will ensure better execution and compliance. Senior officials, including Smt. Hena Usman, Smt. Manasi Sahay Thakur and Smt. Archana Mayaram, attended the workshop alongside representatives from partner ministries and state governments.
In Guwahati, the push for skill development in border regions is expected to create new economic linkages, particularly in tourism, textiles and rural enterprises. As connectivity improves, Guwahati could emerge as a key commercial hub supporting supply chains, training ecosystems and market access for products and services originating from these newly empowered border villages.