Bastar, Chhattisgarh: India’s leading iron ore producer, NMDC Limited, celebrated a landmark achievement as the first batch of 80 tribal youth from the Bastar division successfully completed its skill development programme and secured 100% placement. This initiative, implemented under NMDC’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts in partnership with the Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology (CIPET), reflects the company’s commitment to empowering youth, fostering employability, and promoting inclusive growth in Chhattisgarh.
The programme is designed to transform the lives of economically weaker and tribal youth by equipping them with industry-relevant skills and providing sustainable livelihood opportunities. It aims to strengthen local communities and contribute to building a Viksit Bharat and an Atmanirbhar Bastar.
Fostering Skills and Confidence Among Tribal Youth
The training batch included students from districts such as Dantewada, Bastar, Sukma, Narayanpur, Kondagaon, and Bijapur, many of whom come from modest families with limited access to formal education and employment. The programme’s inclusive eligibility, requiring a minimum qualification of Class 8, ensures school dropouts and underprivileged youth are not left behind.
Speaking at the felicitation event, youth like Sukhram, a Class 12 graduate from Bastar, shared how the programme opened doors to new opportunities. “I never knew how I would leave my hometown. Today, I am going to work and earn,” he said, reflecting the transformative impact of skill development.
Leadership Highlights the Impact of NMDC’s Initiative
Senior NMDC leadership, including Mr. Amitava Mukherjee (Chairman & MD), Mr. Vinay Kumar (Director Technical & Commercial, Additional Charge), and Mr. Joydeep Dasgupta (Director Production & Personnel, Additional Charge), attended the event.
Mr. Mukherjee emphasized, “This is not just about jobs. It is about young people realizing they belong in the workforce and the country’s growth story.” He highlighted that witnessing the youth step into formal employment was a powerful reminder of how opportunities can transform lives.
Mr. Vinay Kumar noted NMDC’s enduring role in Chhattisgarh’s development, while Mr. Dasgupta encouraged students to continue learning, gain confidence, and aspire to entrepreneurship.
Programme Structure and Future Plans
Under this initiative, NMDC and CIPET aim to train 500 youth from Dantewada and Bastar districts in plastics technology and other industry-relevant skills. The programme offers both short-term operator-level courses and diploma/postgraduate diploma programmes, ensuring participants gain practical and employable expertise.
Fully funded by NMDC, the initiative strengthens the local workforce, enhances employability, and aligns with national goals of skill development and inclusive economic growth.
About NMDC
NMDC Limited, India’s largest iron ore producer and a public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Steel, has been instrumental in driving mineral-based industrial development and promoting socio-economic upliftment through CSR initiatives. Its skill development programmes in Bastar and Dantewada reflect NMDC’s commitment to nation-building, youth empowerment, and sustainable local growth.
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