Gangtok, February 13: The Review Meeting of Sikkim INSPIRES was held at Samman Bhawan under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang. Organised by the Planning & Development Department, the meeting assessed the progress and impact of the state’s flagship programme aimed at empowering women and youth.
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| Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang chairs the Sikkim INSPIRES review meeting at Samman Bhawan, Gangtok, on February 13. (Image: DIO Gangtok) |
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said the primary objective of Sikkim INSPIRES is to promote comprehensive skill development and capacity-building initiatives. He noted that over the past two years, the programme has made significant progress by equipping participants with innovative skills and practical knowledge. However, he stressed that the real success of the initiative lies in effectively utilising trained manpower to promote self-reliance, entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods.
The Chief Minister urged young people to move beyond conventional white-collar jobs and become job creators. He also highlighted the need to transform the mindset of the younger generation, foster a disciplined work culture and ensure transparent and judicious use of funds to sustain the programme’s long-term impact. He expressed appreciation to all stakeholders for their dedication and extended his best wishes for the timely completion of the project.
Chief Secretary R. Telang recalled the initial challenges faced during the first year of implementation but stated that the team successfully established the credibility of the Annual Work Plan approved by the World Bank. He emphasised that government employees must serve as mentors and facilitators, enabling citizens to take ownership of the programme. He also outlined the vision of creating a comprehensive State Data Portal to provide an end-to-end digital imprint of citizens’ records, aligning governance with the digital era.
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In her welcome address, Rohini Pradhan, Special Secretary, Planning & Development Department and Programme Director of Sikkim INSPIRES, said the initiative is a results-driven, whole-of-government programme involving coordinated efforts across departments. She highlighted key achievements, including national and international recognition for the Integrated Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Strategy. A detailed presentation on the State Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Action Plan was jointly delivered by Rohini Pradhan and Dr Soumitra Pathare, Director, Centre for Mental Health, Law & Policy, Pune.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister launched the CM-ELEVATE Scheme under the Skill Development Department to further strengthen youth empowerment and entrepreneurship. District Collectors presented their Samriddha District Plans, while Nodal Officers submitted progress reports on programme implementation.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to building a skilled, self-reliant and empowered generation in Sikkim. Several ministers, senior officials, District Collectors and representatives from concerned departments attended the review meeting.
