Ministry of Earth Sciences Hosts National Media Interaction on 'Mission Mausam' The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) held a national-level media interaction on the ambitious Mission Mausam at Prithvi Bhavan, New Delhi. The session was led by Dr. M Ravichandran, Secretary of MoES, alongside Dr. Mritunjay Mohapatra, Director General of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), and Dr. V.S. Prasad, Head of the National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF). Approved by the Union Cabinet on September 11, 2024, with a budget of ₹2,000 crores over two years, Mission Mausam aims to transform India into a "Weather-Ready" and "Climate-Smart" nation. The mission focuses on advancing the country's weather and climate observation, modeling, and forecasting capabilities, to provide more accurate and timely services. Key Objectives of Mission Mausam: Develop Cutting-Edge Technologies: Introduce next-generation radars, satellites with advanced instr...
Youth Skill Development Across India Gets a Boost with Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Flipkart Supply Chain Operations Academy (SCOA) Collaboration
Empowering India's Future: Shri Jayant Chaudhary Highlights Government's Commitment to Skill Development and Artisan Empowerment
In a landmark event celebrating Flipkart’s 5-year journey of empowering India’s artisans, weavers, self-help groups (SHGs), women, and rural entrepreneurs, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for the Ministry of Education, underscored the Indian government’s unwavering dedication to equipping the nation’s youth with skills that meet global demands. This commitment aligns with the vision of a Viksit Bharat 2047, as the government continues to foster opportunities for the country's artisans and entrepreneurs.
A key highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Flipkart’s Supply Chain Operations Academy (SCOA) and the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). This partnership, forged under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0, is set to upskill thousands of young Indians, preparing them for thriving careers in the e-commerce and supply chain sectors. Flipkart’s initiative offers a comprehensive training program that includes a 7-day intensive classroom session followed by 45 days of hands-on industry experience at Flipkart’s facilities.
Speaking at the event, Shri Jayant Chaudhary highlighted the government’s focus on preserving India’s rich cultural heritage through the empowerment of artisans. “The Government of India remains steadfast in its commitment to empowering artisans and promoting the diverse crafts that are integral to our rich cultural heritage,” he stated. The collaboration between MSDE and Flipkart’s SCOA is a significant step towards integrating traditional crafts into the digital marketplace, fostering innovation, and supporting the growth of India’s MSME sector.
He further emphasized the crucial role of industry partnerships in the nation's development. “Partnering with the industry is crucial for success. Initiatives like Samarth are unlocking new opportunities for young people to engage with the evolving work culture and acquire the skills required for the future,” Shri Chaudhary added. Flipkart, a homegrown brand with global aspirations, has empowered 1.8 million livelihoods through its efforts, especially women entrepreneurs and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. With the launch of their Academy focused on logistics, warehousing, and allied sectors, Flipkart continues to contribute significantly to India’s broader e-commerce ecosystem.
The event, attended by over 250 industry leaders, sellers, artisans, weavers, craftsmen, and SHGs, served as a platform to celebrate and elevate India’s rich cultural heritage. Esteemed dignitaries, including Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari (IAS), Secretary, MSDE, and Smt. Sonal Mishra (IAS), Joint Secretary, MSDE, were present to witness this important occasion.
Rajneesh Kumar, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer of Flipkart Group, reflected on the impact of the Samarth initiative, stating, “This 5-year journey milestone of Samarth underscores our commitment to empowering artisans, weavers, and MSMEs across Bharat. We have positively impacted 1.8 million livelihoods, preserved over 100 traditional art forms, and fostered the growth of thousands of sellers. Our partnership with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship will further equip India’s youth with the skills necessary to thrive in the digital economy, ensuring that the legacy of our past continues to flourish.”
The event also featured a thought-provoking panel discussion on the future of artisan empowerment, with insights from distinguished industry leaders, including Shri Ateesh Kumar Singh, Joint Secretary, Ministry of MSME; Shri Mahendra Payaal, Chief Program Officer, National Skills Development Corporation; Smt. Simmi Nanda, Co-Founder and Director of BeUnic; and Smt. Meenu Chopra, Executive Director of All India Artisans & Craftworkers Welfare Association. The discussion explored the evolving landscape for India’s artisan community, the importance of skill development, and the critical role of e-commerce in expanding market access.
In a significant move, Flipkart unveiled the ‘Samarth storefront’ Indian Roots on its app, providing artisans, weavers, and MSMEs with unprecedented access to a national market. This platform enables these artisans to showcase their unique products to over 500 million customers across India.
The event underscored the importance of integrating traditional craftsmanship with modern technology, fostering sustainable livelihoods, and exploring the future of artisan empowerment in the digital age.
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