Latest news with #NSDC
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
NSDC removing impediments to sugar production in Nigeria — Bakrin
The Executive Secretary/CEO of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Mr. Kamar Bakrin, has briefed critical stakeholders on the progress made by the council in addressing impediments to improved local sugar production in Nigeria. Speaking at a tripartite meeting of the agency, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and investment and the major BIP operators, the NSDC boss said the Council has elevated performance monitoring and oversight of the Backward Integration Programme (BIP) operators beyond what the Sugar Industry Monitoring Group (SIMOG) used to do. According to him, NSDC under his watch has emphasised robust, one-on-one, physical and virtual engagement with the operators, giving them targets and following up on deliverables. Bakrin said 'the operators have complained about the existing loopholes in the free trade zone regime, which they believe certain participants in the NSMP have exploited. 'They also cited delays in the clearing of equipment at the ports, smuggling of sugar into the country, host community resistance to the expansion of their BIP programmes as the primary causes of the delays in their BIP execution.' 'The loopholes in the FTZ regime are being addressed by the ongoing amendment of the NSDC Act by the National Assembly.' He explained that the amendment process involves engagement with the relevant National Assembly Committee, and key stakeholders among other objectives to address the concern of the BIP operators and also make the industry more attractive to other investors. 'The delays in the clearing of equipment at the ports is something that is also being addressed with the Nigeria Customs Service. On the issue of smuggling, the volumes do not significantly alter the economics of sugar production and the market dynamics. But regardless, we have engaged the relevant security agencies on the matter. 'In terms of host community resistance, the council consistently intervenes and has actually driven the resolution of these grievances, especially the more significant ones that have been experienced in places like Numan in Adamawa State, and this has been resolved. 'At the moment, there is currently no backward integration programme in which the host community has restricted access to a significant proportion of land in the country,' he added. The Executive Secretary also informed the gathering that as a Council, the NSDC is working on getting comprehensive financing support to aid the development of the industry and in addition to help the existing operators lower the cost of irrigation. 'One of the things we need to do is aggressive pushing of a sugar sector development fund, as well as securing the kind of guarantees that will allow the cost of borrowing to come down. 'Also, to possibly extend whatever support we can provide around the issues of irrigation facilities, not necessarily as grants, but just to lower the overall cost of irrigation infrastructure.' Emphasising the need for severe sanctions for underperformance, Mr. Bakrin said: 'We believe that the two critical things that must happen is that the operators must act immediately to stop the deterioration in the output of their current operations, especially around the issues of agronomic and factory practices, which are clearly below global norms and standards. 'They must also actively expand their existing brownfield operations. In addition, we believe that without going into the specifics of individual companies for confidential reasons, the operators need to, as a matter of urgency, take a much more aggressive approach to expanding their BIP programmes to ensure that they are able to deliver on the NSMP targets. 'We believe that basic improvements in agronomics and factory practices can take annual raw sugar production to 200,000 metric tonnes in the short term even from the current land planted with sugarcane,' he noted. The NSDC boss argued that while the business of importation of raw sugar and refining at the existing facilities owned by the major operators may seem profitable on the surface, the more challenging work of actually growing sugar cane and processing it in Nigeria is ultimately more sustainable and rewarding for the operators and the country at large. Copyright © 2022 Nigerian Tribune Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
What happened when missiles rained down in Israel: An account from Indians working there
On June 13, when Israel attacked Iran, the Indian embassy in Israel informed its citizens, many of them workers, on how to respond in case of an attack. 'If we were on the road, we had to lie down with both arms on the head; if we were on a bus, we had to stop and rush to the nearest bunker; and if we were at work, we had to rush to the basement,' said Basav Ram, a 30-year-old construction worker from Haryana's Jind. 'In our initial months, the Iron Dome (Israeli interceptor) was a wonder to us. We would gaze at the interceptions, but this time, it was a whole new ball game.' Ram, since he landed in Israel's Tel Aviv and moved to Netanya in April 2024, has seen the two countries attack each other over four times. However, this time, the attacks were more intense, he said. Around 6 am on June 13, his phone rang, warning him of an attack. 'First, we got a warning message, then an alarm rang, then a red alarm activated, which shut the phone off except for the blaring sound. The sirens from speakers outside accompanied this. We rushed to the bunker outside our building. Once inside, we were safe. Had buildings fallen on top of it, it would still not have collapsed,' he said. Ram rushed to such bunkers twenty times in the '12-day war', as US President Donald Trump calls it. From June 13 to 23, when a ceasefire was announced, Iran's ballistic missile attacks claimed 28 lives in Israel while Israel killed over 600 Iranians, including their top military brass. The Indian citizens in Israel include thousands employed by various companies through India's National Skill Development Corporation after it received a demand for 10,000 construction workers from Israel's Population and Immigration Authority for four roles — formwork, iron bending, plastering and ceramic tiling in November 2023, a month after Israel's attack on Gaza began. The NSDC has sent workers from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana so far under a government-to-government (G2G) agreement. Ram said he wanted to go home, but the embassy did not order an evacuation. 'I could not go individually because I could not get a vacation and was unsure of whether I would get a visa to re-enter if I left. Many of us from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Haryana were discussing this. Everyone was scared, but we were more scared to go. The contract was for five years, and we want to make a name for ourselves. We came with a dream, and I could not go before it was fulfilled,' Ram said. 'I was constantly thinking of my family when explosions were ringing out around us. Ghar, galiyaan, gaon, sab yaad aayi.' Whenever his employer gave them a day off, the message came with a sense of foreboding. 'It was an omen that the day ahead would see attacks. The defence system intercepted all the missiles, but the explosions left us terrified. When my mother called worried, I would tell her the visuals broadcast by Indian media were fake,' he said. Ram said he will go home for a month this year and hopes to get married before returning. 'After the contract ends, I will go back and give the CET (common eligibility test for group C jobs). With a job at home, things will be immensely better. By then, I would have saved enough to sustain my family till I secure a posting,' he said. Currently, he earns around Rs 1.2 lakh a month, of which around 1 lakh is sent home every month. 'I can't leave my parents to poverty at this age,' Ram said. Gurdeep from Haryana, who lives in Lod, 15 km away from Jerusalem, said the surveillance during the war was scaled up. 'A few Indian labourers posted videos of the attack on social media. Soon, the embassy informed us not to take videos. They said action will be initiated against us. Every conversation and message is documented, even this call over WhatsApp,' he claimed. Gurdeep had left Jind for a construction job, which was terminated after three months. 'I was moved to the bakery by the same contractor, so the agreement remained the same,' he said. While the war waged, Gurdeep could not get a day off. 'If the siren went off, we would rush to the bunker under the bakery,' he said. His day shift is from 6 am to 6 pm, while the night shift is from 6 pm to 6 am, which he alternates between every week. 'When the sight of a truce was not near, I made sure my wife knew nothing about the attacks. I told my brothers to keep her away from the news,' he said. The last attacks in 2024 had left the family petrified, he said. Another labourer, on condition of anonymity, claimed they have been asked not to respond to posts of Palestinians on social media. 'We cannot be seen sharing or even interacting with content on Gaza. We rarely see any posts, and if we do, we have to ignore them. The embassy has also warned us of this,' he claimed. Shankar Dayal, who went to Israel in June 2024, said that although he was selected for tiling work at a construction site, he was placed on a road brick-laying stint. 'Several people have to leave because of this, and I have been shuttling between different jobs ever since,' he said. Dayal said long hours and heavy labour made him reconsider his decision. 'I want to go back to India. Jhagda chal raha hai yahan baar baar. Sabko jaan pyaari hai. If I had a better job, I would have been able to endure it better,' he said. Aiswarya Raj is a correspondent with The Indian Express who covers South Haryana. An alumna of Asian College of Journalism and the University of Kerala, she started her career at The Indian Express as a sub-editor in the Delhi city team. In her current position, she reports from Gurgaon and covers the neighbouring districts. She likes to tell stories of people and hopes to find moorings in narrative journalism. ... Read More
Hans India
19-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Welspun Living and NSDC join hands to upskill and empower Bharat's Next Gen Textile Workforce
Welspun Living Limited (WLL), a global leader in home textiles and a part of India's fastest growing global conglomerate Welspun World, has entered into a strategic partnership with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to launch a large-scale skilling and employment initiative focused on operator-level roles in the textile sector. The partnership will help in fostering industry partnerships to address skill gaps and enhance employability. The scheme jointly launched by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Jayant Chaudhary and Chief Minister of Mizoram Pu Lalduhoma. The event also saw participation from key government leaders including Lalnghinglova Hmar, Minister of State, Labour, Employment and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Government of Mizoram; K Sapdanga, Hon'ble Minister for Home, Government of Mizoram; Maotoshi Longkumer, Adviser for Skill Development, Employment, Labour & Excise, Government of Nagaland; G Madhumita Das, Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India; and Shreeshail Malge, Joint Secretary, MSDE. They appreciated the joint effort by Welspun and NSDC, highlighting the importance of such initiatives in creating jobs and building skills, especially in the North-East and other underserved regions. This initiative covers training, travel, and stipends for the trainees at an approximate cost of Rs 42,500 per trainee during the training period. The total investment for the program amounts to Rs 4.25 crore. The partnership aims to train and certify 1,000 candidates in its pilot phase, with at least 50% women participation, particularly from underrepresented regions such as the North-Eastern states and Uttarakhand. The program is designed to create a sustainable talent pipeline for India's textile manufacturing sector while advancing gender and regional equity. The program will be conducted at Welspun's state of art facilities in Anjar and Vapi, Gujarat combined of: 120 hours of classroom-based training 210 hours of On-the-Job Training (OJT). Candidates will be trained in key technical areas such as machine handling, production processes, quality control, safety protocols, and soft skills. Upon successful completion, all trainees will receive a joint certification from NSDC and Welspun and be assured of captive employment within Welspun's textile operations. 'At Welspun, we believe that women are not just participants but powerful catalysts in shaping the future of India's textile industry,' said Dipali Goenka, MD & CEO, Welspun Living Limited. 'This partnership reflects our commitment to inclusive and sustainable growth. By focusing on women from North east & Uttarakhand, we are not only bridging skill gaps but also unlocking pathways to economic independence, self-worth, and generational impact.' Rajesh Jain, Chief Human Resources Officer, Welspun Living Limited, added, 'Skill development is not just about employment, it is about creating opportunities and empowering people with the ability to transform their futures. Through our collaboration with NSDC, we aim to create a more inclusive and future-ready textile workforce, and contribute to boost economic growth' This initiative reflects Welspun's LITE philosophy-Learning, Innovation, Trust/Talent, and Endurance. Earlier this year, the company marked its 38th Founders Day with the theme 'The Unstoppable W,' celebrating the spirit of inclusive growth. The skilling partnership builds on this vision by equipping individuals, especially women, to thrive in the future of textiles.
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Business Standard
19-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Welspun Living to launch large-scale skilling programme for textile sector
Home textiles manufacturer Welspun Living Ltd on Thursday said it has inked an agreement with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to launch a large-scale skilling and employment initiative focused on operator-level roles in the textile sector. Under this initiative, Welspun Living will train and certify 1,000 candidates in its pilot phase, with at least 50 per cent women participation, particularly from underrepresented regions such as the North-Eastern states and Uttarakhand, the company said in a statement. The total investment for the program amounts to Rs 4.25 crore. "This partnership reflects our commitment to inclusive and sustainable growth. By focusing on women from North East and Uttarakhand, we are not only bridging skill gap but also unlocking pathways to economic independence, self-worth, and generational impact," Welspun Living MD and CEO Dipali Goenka said. The program will be conducted at Welspun's facilities in Anjar and Vapi in Gujarat in a combination of classroom-based training and on-the-job training in key technical areas such as machine handling, production processes, quality control, safety protocols, and soft skills. Upon successful completion, all trainees will receive a joint certification from NSDC and Welspun and be assured of captive employment within Welspun's textile operations. "Skill development is not just about employment, it is about creating opportunities and empowering people with the ability to transform their futures. Through our collaboration with NSDC, we aim to create a more inclusive and future-ready textile workforce, and contribute to boost economic growth," Welspun Living Ltd Chief Human Resources Officer Rajesh Jain added. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hans India
14-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Equipping the next gen through hands-on skill development
As India moves steadily toward becoming a global economic powerhouse, the conversation around education must shift from access to relevance and impact. Traditional classrooms alone can no longer meet the demands of a fast-evolving world shaped by automation, digital transformation, and a gig-based economy. To create a globally competitive workforce, we must reimagine education as a dynamic, skill-driven system—one that connects learners directly to real-world opportunities. Beyond access: Toward quality and practical learning The future calls for an education system where students don't just graduate with degrees, but with capabilities that match market needs. Curriculums must evolve to integrate both technical and soft skills. This includes fields like information technology, artificial intelligence (AI), beauty and wellness, media and entertainment, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), machine learning, retail, aviation, and more. Soft skills such as critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity must be given equal weight. A student's ability to adapt, innovate, and problem-solve will determine employability in a tech-centric and globally connected world. Rethinking classrooms: The role of technology Technology is not just a learning tool—it is a bridge between urban and rural education systems. Hybrid and self-paced learning models, supported by mobile internet and educational platforms, can bring quality education to remote and underserved communities. Teacher training programs also need a complete overhaul. Educators must be equipped with digital literacy and innovative pedagogical tools to prepare students for tomorrow's challenges. Education must move from rote memorization to interactive, experiential, and application-based learning. Vocational skilling: A strategic imperative While academic education builds a foundation, it is vocational skilling that transforms potential into productivity. India must invest deeply in skill development programs, apprenticeships, and industry-led training to equip its young population for today's complex job landscape. Institutions like the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), Media & Entertainment Skills Council (MESC), and the Beauty & Wellness Sector Skill Council (B&WSSC) are already playing crucial roles. But a more integrated approach is required to keep pace with emerging global trends. Skilling must be seen not as an alternative to higher education, but as a complementary and equally valuable pathway. Premier vocational institutions are now focusing on the booming AVGC sector (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics), as well as India's growing digital economy, which requires talent in AI, blockchain, cybersecurity, and data science. Skilling in such areas can not only provide jobs but also future-proof careers. Youth entrepreneurship: A catalyst for growth With the growth of the startup ecosystem and the success of programs like Startup India, it's clear that innovation and entrepreneurship are on the rise. But this momentum must be nurtured with government support, such as easing regulatory requirements, offering financial incentives, and ensuring access to mentorship and global networks. When supported, youth-led businesses don't just employ—they innovate, scale, and inspire. Education systems that include entrepreneurial thinking and real-world problem-solving will help students become creators of opportunity, not just consumers of it. The road to global competitiveness Government initiatives like Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat are steps in the right direction. However, for India to truly compete on the world stage, it must enhance its ease of doing business, develop robust digital infrastructure, and continue fostering a culture of innovation. India's young, digitally native, and skilled population is its greatest strength. A reimagined education system that prioritizes skill, relevance, and adaptability will be the cornerstone of building a workforce that the world looks up to. Conclusion The future of education in India lies in its ability to merge traditional learning with modern skills. By equipping students with tools that go beyond textbooks—tools that prepare them for jobs that don't even exist yet—we can empower a generation to lead with confidence, competence, and creativity. To shape a brighter future, India must reimagine its classrooms, invest in vocational skilling, support entrepreneurship, and build an education-to-employment pipeline that is inclusive, forward-looking, and resilient.
