Team Goemkarponn
CANACONA: The Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Canacona, recently celebrated its Convocation Ceremony at Ravindra Bhavan Auditorium, in association with the Department of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, marking a significant milestone in the journey towards self-reliance through skill development.
Certificates were awarded to 160 ITI trainees, including graduates of the Bakery Production program conducted under the Department of Skill Development. The initiative is part of the Chief Minister’s Skill Path Scheme, “Skilled India – Empowered India,” aimed at empowering youth, women, and girls from rural areas to become self-reliant and independent.
Rajesh Loliyekar, Project Manager of the Skill Path Scheme, highlighted that in the Canacona region, the program was implemented through Keshav Seva Sadhana, a prominent social welfare organization based at Sheller, Canacona. Around 68 women across four batches successfully completed Bakery Production training and have now launched their own small enterprises, exemplifying the vision of a self-reliant India (Atmanirbhar Bharat).
In the absence of the chief guest, Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Ramesh Tawadkar, the ceremony was attended by CMC Councillor Dheeraj Naik Gaonkar, Poinguinim VP Deputy Sarpanch Sunil Paingankar, social worker and entrepreneur Somdatt Deshmukh, ITI Principal Anish Gaude, Vice-Principal Dongrikar, Ramesh Velip, and Training Centre Coordinator Damodar Vasant Chari.
In his welcome address, Principal Anish Gaude highlighted the achievements and growth of the institute. Damodar Vasant Chari delivered an inspiring message, stating, “Human life is not meant to cling to the broken pieces of shattered dreams. The human spirit cannot be chained forever to the failures of the past — it is blessed with the wings of hope for the future. To dream, nurture that dream, strive for it, and even if that dream breaks — to chase a new one — this is the true essence of being human.”
The convocation underscored the transformative impact of skill development programs in fostering entrepreneurship, self-reliance, and empowerment among the youth and women of Canacona.
