New Year and Skill Development in India

New Year: A Time of Celebration, Reflection, and Resolution

The New Year is universal yet varies widely across cultures. Different cultures and calendars have different ways of marking the beginning of a new year and different traditions and practices of celebrating it. The Gregorian calendar starts New Year on January 1, while others like Chinese, Islamic, and Hindu calendars differ. Some of the common ways of celebrating the New Year across different cultures include fireworks, parties, special foods, making resolutions, and wishing for prosperity and happiness.

The New Year is perfect for reflecting on the past and setting new goals. Reflection can help us evaluate our achievements and failures, our strengths and weaknesses, and our joys and sorrows of the previous year. It helps us learn from our mistakes and appreciate our blessings and opportunities. Resolutions can help us set our goals and priorities, plan our actions and strategies, and commit to our values and principles for the new year. It helps us improve our lives and make a positive impact.

Skill Development in India: Challenges and Opportunities

India is a country with a population of over 1.3 billion people, of which about 65% are below the age of 35. India’s young population could be a major asset if well-trained. Currently, only 2.4% have formal vocational training and 8.9% have informal training. Most of the Indian workforce lacks the skills needed for today’s economy. According to ASER, only 50% of rural Indian children can read or do basic math by age 14. This means that the quality and accessibility of education and training in India are low and inadequate.

Some of the challenges and gaps that hinder skill development in India are:

Low education enrollment and completion rates result from poverty, poor infrastructure, and weak teaching.

Tech advances and globalization create a skills gap between education and industry needs.

Limited access and quality of vocational training, low awareness, and poor recognition hinder youth opportunities.

Social and gender disparities in skill development result from stereotypes, discrimination, and lack of inclusive policies.

COVID-19 has disrupted education and employment, increasing uncertainty and affecting millions.

Despite challenges, India has many opportunities and initiatives to boost skill development, including:

Government programs like Skill India Mission, NSDC, and PMKVY aim to train millions in skills and entrepreneurship.

Digital platforms offer flexible, affordable learning opportunities, especially with the rise of e-learning due to COVID-19.

Collaboration among industry, civil society, and international groups supports and enhances government efforts in skill development.

My Abhinandan: Leading Skill Development NGO in India

My Abhinandan empowers and supports women and children, focusing on acid attack survivors through skill development and advocacy. Acid attacks involve throwing corrosive substances on someone, often causing severe harm or disfigurement. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), there were 226 cases of acid attacks reported in India in 2019, but the actual number could be much higher, as many cases go unreported or underreported. Acid attack survivors endure serious physical and emotional scars, isolation, and economic hardship.

My Abhinandan envisions a society where women and children are respected, valued, and empowered to live with dignity and freedom. Abhinandan supports acid attack survivors with rehab, skill development, and entrepreneurship.

Offer medical, legal, psychological, and financial aid to acid attack survivors for surgeries, counseling, and justice.

Provide skill development and vocational training in beauty, fashion, and handicrafts for survivors and marginalized women and children.

Organize rallies, workshops, and media events to prevent violence against women and children, and promote their rights.

Mobilize resources from government, corporate, media, and the public for acid attack survivors through fundraising, donations, and partnerships.

Some of the examples and success stories of My Abhinandan’s contribution to skill development in India are:

My Abhinandan has trained and employed 500+ women, offering essential skills and income.

My Abhinandan supports acid attack survivors with counseling, mentoring, and peer support, helping them regain self-esteem and confidence.

My Abhinandan’s advocacy reshaped acid attack policies, ensuring victim protection and compensation through effective lobbying.

My Abhinandan has raised awareness about acid attack survivors, highlighting their skills and challenging stereotypes.

Conclusion

Skill development is vital for India to harness its demographic dividend, boost growth, and enhance social welfare. Skill development NGOs in India struggle with poor education quality, skills mismatch, and social disparities. Support My Abhinandan and similar NGOs for women’s empowerment and skill development in India. My Abhinandan has trained and employed over 500 acid attack survivors and underprivileged women, helping them rebuild confidence and overcome trauma. This New Year, support My Abhinandan in advancing acid attack survivor empowerment and skill development.