The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy here today assumed charge of the newly formed Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

The Minister thanked Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for handing him charge of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Ministry and recalled his words on the occasion of Independence Day 2014: We are a youthful nation. Our youth are our strength. The world and India needs a skilled workforce. Let our youth get skillsthose skills that contribute toward a strong India. The Minister continued Skill development is a dream project of the Prime Minister. It is our responsibility to be able to fulfil the aspirations of the youth in the country. Although this is a challenging assignment, my background in the government working at the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Civil Aviation will help me in taking on this responsibility.

Shri Rudy assured that Skill Development will play a critical role in fulfilling the objectives of the PMs Make in India campaign. The Ministry will be coordinating with other Ministries/Departments to achieve the mission of skilling India.

Shri Rudy attended official briefings immediately after taking over where presentations were made by the Secretary, Joint Secretary, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Director General, National Skill Development Agency and Chief Operating Officer, National Skill Development Corporation. He stressed on the importance of rationalization of skill development schemes and outlining specific deliverables for the short, medium and long term for the Ministry. The Ministry is expected to play a key role in reaping the demographic dividend in our country.