The chairperson of the Supreme Court appointed Committee on Relief and Rehabilitation in Manipur, Justice Gita Mittal on Friday launched three programmes which are aimed to provide job opportunities to the unemployed youths of the state at Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS) in Imphal East.
The three programmes, ‘Skill Training Programme for Internally Displaced Youths’, ‘Youth Coach Level 1 Certificate programme’ and ‘Operationalisation of Primary Health Centre, Borobekra (Jiribam) in Electronic Mode’ were launched under the department of Tourism, Directorate of Health Services and Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of Manipur.
On the occasion, Justice Gita Mittal praised the Manipur state government for its proactive initiatives taken up to provide job opportunities for the unemployed youth under the mentorship of the Supreme Court appointed Committee which is headed by her.
“Such initiatives not only offer employment but also serve as a pathway for individuals to overcome psychological trauma faced recently during conflict,” she said.
Sharing her experience of interacting with the displaced people as well as with others affected by conflict, she said it was an eye opening lesson. “We are deeply conscious of the situation, and sympathise completely with the people who have lost their lives, and we understand the hardships of trauma which each one of you faced,” she said.
Although the Committee appointed by SC came in August, 2023, they had been constantly interacting with displaced persons staying at relief camps as well as with others staying outside the state virtually, she informed.
She also said that there are experts in health, rehabilitation, data collection, and social mainstreaming of disadvantaged groups in the committee. Based on their reports, the Committee has taken up proactive steps with respect to location, topography, geography and several problems within the state, she said.
Based on the initial stage of studies by the Committee's experts, it has come to the conclusion that speedy assistance is required not only in relief camps but also beyond the relief camps, she said.
Through the legal service authority, records of various grievances have been taken up, she mentioned. During the initial stages, there was huge deficiency at relief camps as far as health care is concerned, she further said, adding, there is mobility issue, lack of infrastructure, deficiency of doctors, nursing staffs, experience in health care etc.
Considering these shortages, the initiatives of skill training, coach programmes in sports have been taken up, she said. The launching programme was attended by chief secretary Vineet Joshi and other officials concerned with departments of tourism, sports and health sectors.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Chief Secretary announced that these initiatives not only offer employment but also serve as a pathway for individuals to overcome psychological trauma associated with the recent upheavals.
Among these initiatives is the endeavour to provide sustainable livelihoods through skill training in the hospitality sector under Capacity Building for Service Provider through Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council, stated a release signed by staff officer to the chief secretary Mercina R Panmei.
Training programmes will encompass various aspects of hospitality services, including food and beverages, guest service, customer relations, and front office management. A total of 2,000 internally displaced youth from Relief Camps across the state will have the opportunity to undergo comprehensive training with Primero Skilling Pvt Ltd as the training partner, it mentioned.
The training will equip participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to secure employment in the thriving hospitality industry, thus facilitating their reintegration into stable and fulfilling lives. Training will be taken up in five training centres at Kangpokpi, Churachandpur, Bishnupur, Imphal East and Kakching, it said.
It mentioned that many healthcare professionals have been displaced, particularly in the hill districts by the crisis. Recognising the critical need to ensure continued access to healthcare services in affected areas, the state government has undertaken a comprehensive assessment of the situation, it said.
As part of this assessment, the government has identified the need to operationalize several affected health facilities through electronic modes by outsourcing to reputable agencies, it added.
In line with this strategy, Apollo Hospital Enterprise Limited, Hyderabad has been selected to oversee the reactivation of the Borobeka Primary Health Centre (PHC). Telemedicine services for OPD including consultations with specialists will be conducted electronically. This will further be extended to three more locations viz PHC Thanlon (Churachandpur), PHC Henglep (Churachandpur) and PHC Senvon (Pherzawl), it added.
The collaboration with Apollo Hospital Enterprise Limited represents a proactive step towards restoring essential healthcare services to communities impacted by the recent unrest. By leveraging their expertise and resources, we aim to swiftly resume operations at Borobeka PHC and ensure that residents have access to quality medical care, it stated.
This initiative highlights the unwavering commitment of the state government to prioritizing the health and well-being of all citizens, even in challenging circumstances. “We remain dedicated to implementing effective measures to address the evolving needs of our communities and restore normalcy across the state,” it added.
The government is also launching a unique certification programme aimed at empowering grassroots athletes to become coaches in various disciplines, it said. This programme will provide an opportunity for 300 trainees recruited from across the state to undergo specialised training to become coaches in football, table tennis, badminton, judo, and weightlifting, it mentioned. The initiative aims to leverage the passion for sports among the youth as a means of healing and empowerment, it said.
The certification programme will consist of a comprehensive two-week residential course, offering intensive training and mentorship to participants by TENVIC Sports, the training partner of the programme, it mentioned.
Training centres will be established at Khumanlampak, Imphal and Kangpokpi, ensuring accessibility to trainees from different regions of the state. “By equipping grassroots athletes with the necessary skills and knowledge to become coaches, we not only promote sports development but also create avenues for positive engagement and personal growth. Through this initiative, we aim to harness the transformative power of sports to heal communities and build a brighter future for all,” it added.
It further said that in collaboration with Hindu College, Delhi University, Ultra International Ltd, and CSIR CIMAP Lucknow, the state Government of Manipur will launch a training programme for 30 women in fragrance formulations for wellness products, aiming to boost job opportunities and establish Manipur as a Centre for the Perfumery industry, utilising the state's rich resources of herbs and medicinal plants. The programme is scheduled to commence in June 2024 at Hindu College, Delhi University, it said.
Manipur aims to enhance its operations by cultivating both existing and new herbs, establishing distillery units, and developing essential infrastructure, with the goal of positioning itself as the leading Perfumery industry hub in the Northeast region, it added.
