Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan, unveiled multiple strategic partnerships aimed at bolstering the country’s skill ecosystem. Among the initiatives announced were the launch of Mock Test 2.0 by NIMI in 12 languages and the introduction of four new-age courses in Artificial Intelligence and cyber security under the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) to prepare India’s youth for the technology-driven market.

The strategic collaborations encompassed industry partners, academia, and government departments, emphasizing the Ministry’s commitment to bridging the gap between industry requirements and skill development initiatives. Additionally, two centers of excellence (CoE) in the media and electronics sector were inaugurated at the Skill Development Institute (SDI) in Bhubaneshwar.

Through 19 MoUs signed with various departments, including DGT, NIESBUD, PMKVY, PM Vishwakarma, and NSDC, the Ministry aims to transform India into a ‘Kushal Bharat Viksit Bharat,’ equipping the youth to meet domestic and international market demands while fostering innovation and entrepreneurship on a global scale.

Pradhan applauded the stakeholders for their collaborative efforts, emphasizing that these skilling initiatives and partnerships will prepare the population for 21st-century job markets, nurture innovators and entrepreneurs, and contribute to driving economic growth. The CoEs will play a crucial role in enhancing youth employability, livelihoods, and fostering entrepreneurship, aligning with the government’s vision for a skilled and prosperous India.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated two Centres of Excellence (CoE) virtually at the Skill Development Institute (SDI) in Bhubaneswar. The CoEs, focusing on media & entertainment and electronics, aim to provide state-of-the-art facilities for skill development in new-age courses. The media & entertainment center spans 4,000 square feet, while the electronics center covers 1,920 square feet. These centers are equipped with modern amenities like smart classrooms, Wi-Fi access, and digital learning platforms to meet the diverse needs of education and skill development.

The media & entertainment CoE will offer training in various courses including video editing, sound editing, graphic designing, digital marketing, and digital photography. This multi-segment approach is expected to benefit around 900 aspiring candidates, empowering them to become next-generation content creators. The goal is to elevate the media and entertainment industry globally by nurturing skilled professionals.

Moreover, the CoE features a dedicated space for an integrated training and production facility equipped with cameras, lighting equipment, and audio recording and editing software. This facility allows students to unleash their creativity, refine ideas, and pursue rewarding careers in the media industry. The inauguration of these CoEs marks a significant step towards bridging the skill gap and fostering innovation in the field of media & entertainment and electronics in Bhubaneswar.

A black leopard has been sighted in a reserve forest in Odisha’s Sundargarh district. According to sources, the trap cameras installed by the Forest department in Garjan hill of Dhanu Baunsa reserve forest in the district have captured the black leopard moving in the area. Sundargarh ACF Sanjib Panda confirmed the sighting, revealing that images of the melanistic leopard were captured by one of the 25 trap cameras stationed in the reserve forest.

The trap cameras were initially set up as part of the tiger census conducted in 2023. However, during the census operation, the unexpected appearance of the black leopard in the forest area piqued the interest of conservationists and researchers alike. Although the specific location of the sighting was not disclosed by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), he emphasized that it is not uncommon to spot melanistic leopards in Odisha. He explained that the dark coloration of the leopard’s hide is attributed to excess pigmentation. This sighting underscores the rich biodiversity of Odisha’s forests and highlights the importance of conservation efforts to protect such rare and magnificent creatures. It also serves as a reminder of the need for continued monitoring and research to better understand and safeguard the wildlife inhabiting these ecosystems.