Manipur sets up apparel industry to create employment for youth

Imphal, May 2 (ANI): In its attempt to generate employment among the educated unemployed youth, the Central Ministry of Rural Development has set up a centre for apparel manufacturing in Manipur.

The centre will train the youth become self-reliant.

The centre of the Skills for Employment in Apparel Manufacturing (SEAM) is the first of its kind in the entire northeast region. It will provide employment opportunities to the educated unemployed youth, particularly the school dropouts.

The center has been sponsored by the Ministry of Rural Development, the Department of Education and Government of Manipur with the Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL and FS) Cluster Multi Skills Development Centre.

Unemployment is the greatest problem among the youth of Manipur and the scope of employment in Government sector cannot be stretched further. In such a scenario, schemes like SEAM has enthused hope in youths to breathe a fresh lease of life.

Training programme would extend for a month and after that arrangement of placement would be made outside the state in New Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai.

Advisor of IL and FS Cluster Multi Skills Development Centre Manoj Kumar assured that the scheme would help improve the economy of the state.

"Definitely, it is going to enhance the local economy. First, by providing people and dropout students with employment skills and the placement. Secondly, we are trying to start production unit locally in Manipur. Once that comes up, these people can be placed in Manipur itself. At that point of time their skills will be a reward to them, and the state will not be lacking in skilled manpower, " said Manoj Kumar.

A number of students hailed the efforts taken by the government as a positive initiative which will help for the jobless youths.

"I think it is a very good initiative to set up this kind of centre specially for the youths who are highly educated but without jobs," said Laishram Medha, a trainee.

Apart from skill upgradation programme, classes on personality development language are provided to the trainees. By L C K Singh (ANI)