ACQUIRING SKILLS BY NAVIGATING ALL ODDS TO ENSURE ALTERNATE LIVELIGHOOD

“The skill building support along with life skills training has augmented my confidence to venture for alternate income and to sustain my family, instead of getting myself tagged as a migrant worker”; mentions young Subhankar
Life in Sagar Island’s Dhaspara Sumatinagar-I Gram Panchayat was far from easy, surrounded by the constant struggle against nature’s fury and other odds especially when the impact of global warming is showing its impact in these deltaic islands.

In the heart of this island, Subhankar Bauri, a 20-year-old youth, found himself entangled in the web of poverty. His family, comprising his father, mother and two sisters, bore the weight of financial burdens. Subhankar’s father toiled as a daily laborer, earning a meager income that barely sustained the five-member family. The relentless onslaught of saline water incursion and flooding exacerbated their challenges, rendering the once fertile soil infertile and destroying crops.

The young man, however, held onto a belief that echoed through the winds of struggle. His dreams of education were thwarted due to financial constraints, forcing him to discontinue his studies after completing higher secondary school. Yet, Subhankar refused to succumb to the harsh circumstances, choosing to stand shoulder to shoulder with his father in their daily labor.

Amidst the hardships, an opportunity in the form of the Multi Activity Centre (MAC) came up. The MAC provides platform connecting the aspirations of young individuals to market opportunities through skill-building. Subhankar, belonging to one of the most marginalized families, discovered the Jan Sikshan Santhan certified Helper Electrical Technician course offered by MAC. Undeterred by the challenges, he enrolled in the three-and-a-half-month free job-oriented training.

Bal Raksha Bharat, in collaboration with Ramakrishna Mission, Narendranpur, West Bengal, India; took the initiative to provide skills training to marginalized youths like Subhankar. The Helper Electrical Technician course, certified by Jan Sikshan Santhan under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, opened horizon of opportunities for him.

The training went beyond technical aspects, offering sessions on teamwork, problem-solving, self-management, learning strategies, and effective communication on Life Skills Education. These life skill sessions aimed to enhance Subhankar’s resilience and self-efficacy, thus preparing him for the challenges life would throw at him.
As he delved into the practical classes and technical training, he found himself surprised by the depth of knowledge and experience he gained. The once-unfamiliar territory of electrical work. became a realm where he could thrive. With newfound skills, he not only supported his family through agricultural work but also became a beacon of hope for the community.

As the training neared its end, Subhankar was linked with income-generating opportunities. The Helper Electrical Technician course was not just a certification; it was a promise of a brighter, more secure future for Subhankar and others like him in the marginalized corners of Sagar Island which otherwise bears the brunt of natural calamities thus weaning away the traditional source of income from the natives of the place.

The Skill India Mission, recognized by the Government of India was launched with the aim of empowering the Indian workforce with the necessary skills to make them employable and self-reliant. The mission was launched with the objective of creating a pool of skilled workers who could contribute to the economic growth of the country.
Bal Raksha Bharat, to fast-track this policy implementation of the Government, is working to ensure access to skills training for youth to make them ready for income generation. These MACs developed close to these communities, built in collaboration with local stakeholders and government certified skills training institutes, are enabling youth to build their skilling capacities along with additional support of imparting life skills education to boost their confidence and take path-breaking decisions.