Date:03/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/03/stories/2008040351360300.htm

Tamil Nadu

NABARD’s initiative bears fruit

Special Correspondent

TIRUVARUR: An initiative by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) involving 25 unemployed youths in the district by training them under its Skill Development Initiative has yielded the expected results, creating job opportunities for them. At Muthupettai, a block affected by Tsunami, basic and upgradation skills on welding technologies was imparted to 25 youth in the age group of 18 to 35, spread over a period of 8 weeks through Shiela’s Unit for Health and Social Affairs (SUHSA), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO).

The initiative attracted one of the reputed entrepreneurs, Cethar Vessels Ltd., from Tiruchi, who came forward to offer job opportunities for them. All the 25 youths will be placed in one of their units in Tiruchi on induction training for a period of six months after which they will be permanently absorbed based on their performance.

Distributing the placement cum induction orders to the trainees at a function held at Muthupettai recently Collector, M. Chandrasekaran appreciated the role of NABARD and the NGO in identifying the activity and the efforts taken for ensuring their placement. While advising the trainees, he pointed out that this is the first step in their life and everything lies in their hands in utilising the opportunity to the best of their ability and skill acquired.

The Lead District Manager, T. Ramadoss, said that this is an example of how best an NGO can implement a project through convergence of entrepreneurs through an appropriate activity.