A platform to recognise the talent of youths
AIMING FOR A BETTER FUTURE Students from Jammu and Kashmir impress with their skills in robotics
LUCKNOW: Instead of lullabies, they grew up hearing gunshots and lived amid terror constantly looming over their state – Jammu and Kashmir. Despite all this, a few dedicated youngsters continued to upgrade their skills.
They came all the way to Lucknow in the holy month of Ramzan to represent J&K at the threeday IndiaSkills Regional Competition-2018 (northern chapter) that commenced at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan here on Thursday.
The competition is aimed at recognising the talent of youths in the country and is a drive towards making India the skill capital of the world. Over 200 contestants from J&K, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Chandigarh are participating in this competition across 24 trades/ categories.
Najeeb Shafi (Class 10) and Faizan Faiz (Class 12) of Srinagar are proudly representing their state in robotics. “Robotics has been my passion right from the beginning. It is my dream to make a name in this field,” said Najeeb.
“Yes, we have a problem. But I could either work hard and grow or use it as an excuse to not work hard,” he said.
“I can showcase my talent on a platform where it can be appreciated and valued. We’re given all sorts technical assistance that we need,” added the duo who had never received any specific training or coaching in robotics and had to learn everything from scratch.
“Participating in other robotics competitions and winning them gave me the confidence to come here. I’m very confident and positive about this one too,” said Najeeb. The contestants winning here would go the next round and represent India in Russia, World Skills.
“Painting has its own value with multiple uses like layouts, logos and décor. Designing is everywhere. It’s no longer a small market,” said Kunj Arora, a contestant representing Punjab in painting and decorations.
The contestants who were unaware of this event learnt about it from their college. “Events like these are very important. They literally help us get out of our bubble as they not only give us a platform but also allow us to explore options and look at the big market across the globe,” said Sahil Kabil, representing Chandigarh in painting and decoration.
However, the contestants are also facing the pressure of expectations and competition. “The platform is very big here. At the state level, we were only four contestants. Here, we have the best brains of entire North India competing for victory. The chances of making it big are high,” said Paras Singhla, a web designing contestant representing Punjab.
On qualifying the second round of Skills India 2018, the participants are ready to compete for their third round in Indira Gandhi Pratisthan, Lucknow.
Ujjwal Bhardwaj, an engineer who runs a start-up ‘Stithi’ and makes real-time monitoring devices, said: “I never got exposure like this so I will give my best in this competition.” She has a passion for electronics, designing and programming and is representing Uttarakhand in graphic designing.
Prerna Kohli, a student of Lovely Professional University is representing Punjab in graphic designing skills. “I have not got any professional training and it is a great opportunity to be participating here,” she added.
Areeka Tufail, who is pursuing BA LLB, is representing J&K in patisserie and confectionery. On her experience, she said: “It was such a great experience, we have been polished to a greater extent by Saquib Mir, owner of the only French bakery in J&K.”
Rohit Gupta of Allahabad was also among the participants. Pursuing hotel management from the Indian Institute of Hotel Management, Srinagar, he is representing J&K in cooking skills. On his experience, he said: “It is a great opportunity to enhance my skills.”
A 19-year-old girl, Disha Bansal who is pursuing hotel management from IHM Pusa is representing Uttar Pradesh in cooking skills. She said: “It has been a fantastic experience. The facilities provided to us are amazing and I am learning new things every day.”
On her expectation, she said: “The best person may win.” Her father, Anil Bansal, a businessman, said: “I am proud of my daughter and I will support her in realising her dreams.”
AYUSHI MISHRA AND NISHA KUMARI