Gandhinagar: When Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated commercial semiconductor chip production at CG Semi’s OSAT facility in Sanand, Gujarat, on July 4, he did more than launch a new chapter in India’s electronics manufacturing journey. He shone the spotlight on three young women from tribal regions whose remarkable journeys symbolise the changing aspirations of rural India.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the Prime Minister said the daughters of ordinary families—educated in government schools and Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs)—are today contributing to one of the world’s most advanced industries: semiconductor manufacturing.
‘India’s Daughters Are Creating History’
Highlighting their achievements, the Prime Minister said the young women working at the Sanand facility had confidently explained every stage of semiconductor manufacturing during his visit.
“They come from the tribal belts of states such as Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. They studied in ordinary schools, received technical education in ITIs, and today they are doing extraordinary work,” he said.
He noted that India was witnessing a transformation in how vocational education is perceived.
“There was a time when parents hesitated to say their children studied at an ITI. That time has passed. Today, these daughters have reached the forefront of cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturing,” he remarked.
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From Remote Villages to Global Training
The Prime Minister said many of these young women came from families where nobody had ever applied for a passport, travelled abroad or even visited India’s major metropolitan cities.
Yet, after being selected by CG Semi, they travelled to Malaysia for specialised training in semiconductor manufacturing technology.
According to him, the overseas exposure equipped them with advanced technical skills that are now helping manufacture ‘Made in India’ semiconductor chips, strengthening India’s semiconductor ecosystem.
Meet the Women Behind India’s Semiconductor Story
Among the women praised by the Prime Minister were Poonam Kumari, Priyanka Dhanwar, and Shivani Uikey, all of whom now work as machine operators at the CG Semi semiconductor facility in Sanand.
Despite coming from economically modest backgrounds, they have become part of one of India’s most ambitious technology initiatives.
Poonam Kumari: From Giridih to Malaysia
Poonam Kumari belongs to Giridih district in Jharkhand. After losing her father at a young age, she was raised by her mother.
Recalling her journey, she said she had never travelled outside Jharkhand before joining the company.
“When we were sent to Malaysia for training, everything was new to us. Whenever we found it difficult to understand anything, the trainers explained it in Hindi and also through practical demonstrations, which made learning much easier,” she said.
Her journey reflects how technical education combined with industry support can transform lives.
Priyanka Dhanwar Makes Her Family Proud
Priyanka Dhanwar, who hails from West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand, said her achievement has become a matter of immense pride for her family.
She became the first person in her family to travel abroad, an experience that not only broadened her horizons but also prepared her for a career in India’s emerging semiconductor industry.
Shivani Uikey: ‘Together We Will Create History’
For Shivani Uikey, from Balaghat district in Madhya Pradesh, the opportunity has been equally life-changing.
Speaking about her family’s reaction, she said:
“When our parents saw our success, tears of joy filled their eyes. Together with CG Semi, we are going to create history.”
ITI Education Finds New Recognition
The Prime Minister used these stories to underline the growing importance of vocational education in India’s economic transformation.
He observed that Industrial Training Institutes, once considered a secondary option, are now producing skilled professionals capable of working in globally competitive sectors such as semiconductor manufacturing.
The success of these young women, he said, demonstrates how skill development, international exposure and advanced manufacturing can together create new opportunities for youth from even the most remote parts of the country.
A Milestone for India’s Semiconductor Mission
The commencement of commercial production at CG Semi’s Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facility in Sanand marks a significant milestone in India’s semiconductor ambitions.
Beyond technology and investment, the stories of Poonam, Priyanka and Shivani showcase the human dimension of India’s semiconductor mission—where daughters from tribal communities are contributing to one of the world’s most sophisticated manufacturing sectors and inspiring a new generation of skilled youth.
