‘Cannot control the taste buds of individuals’

Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 20  

“BJP is going to position itself as far as elections in the (Nagaland) state are concerned,” said Union Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (independent charge), Rajiv Pratap Rudy on June 20. Rudy, who reached Nagaland today, said that he was assigned Dimapur by the Prime Minister to lead the International Yoga Day celebration in Nagaland on June 21.  

Speaking to the media at the Police Guest House, Chumukedima, he said that the BJP’s presence is growing across the country starting from municipal polls. Queried on the party’s prospects in Assembly election bound Nagaland in the backdrop of the ‘Cow Slaughter’ ban, Rudy was diplomatic while the citing the ‘rights’ as guaranteed in the Constitution of India. At the same time, he added that a “constitutional confrontation” should not be created.  

“We cannot control the taste buds of individuals… we have to respect the varied cultural sentiments of India,” he said.  

According to him, the Prime Minister has a special focus on the northeast, Nagaland in particular, in terms of development and the Framework Agreement. While stating that the “narrative of the BJP led NDA government” in the 3 years since PM Modi took the reins has been to uplift the marginalised, Rudy said that the launch of over 100 people oriented welfare and development schemes by the Central government testifies to it. He added that the objective of the schemes have been to help to the “last man.”  

As far as the Ministry of Skill Development was concerned, he said that the Ministry has already rolled out proposal to set up 4 additional Industrial Training Institutes (ITI) in Nagaland. Two of the 4 ITIs will be set up in Longleng and Kiphire – 2 districts in Nagaland which has yet to have ITIs. Accommodation at the ITIs in Nagaland has so far been only for boys. On this, Rudy said that hostels for girls will also be set up.  

The Ministry’s proposal to make ITI diploma courses equivalent to class 10 and 12 board certificates, which was recently approved by the Human Resource Ministry, Rudy said will affect a major change that will benefit over 2.3cr students across the country.  

Rudy will be at the Agri Expo site at 4th Mile on June 21, which will host the Yoga Day celebration this year. It will start at 8:30 am.  

Union Minister assures to speed up skill development in Nagaland

DIMAPUR, JUNE 20 (MExN): Union Minister of State (I/C), Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Rajiv Pratap Rudy met Nagaland Governor, PB Acharya on Tuesday in Dimapur and discussed the progress of various schemes in the state.  

They particularly discussed the ‘Enhancing Skill Development Infrastructure in NE States & Sikkim’ scheme and those related to the skill development mission. They also deliberated on the current on ground situation of setting up of skill development institutions in Nagaland.  

Discussing skill development in Nagaland, Rudy said: “We have seen huge potential and dedication in the youth of Nagaland and have already realised that they have great entrepreneurial skills. There is big demand for such youth across the country in varied sectors. We will work closely with the Government of Nagaland to bring scale and speed to our programs here and create avenues for growth for the youth of this State.”  

He meanwhile thanked the Nagaland Governor for his unconditional support, which he stated would “soon result in setting up of more ITIs in the State and promoting skill development and entrepreneurship.”