Hans News Service Vijayawada

TheRural Incubation, Skilling and Entrepreneurship (RISE) initiative being implemented in NTR district to provide sustainable livelihood opportunities to rural women and equip them with skills for self-employment and entrepreneurship has received national-level recognition. NTR district collector Dr G Lakshmisha said the recognition was a matter of pride and attributed the achievement to the collective efforts of the district administration, self-help group women and partner organisations.

The collector, along with officials, participated in the Skill Manthan webinar organised by the Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship through video conference from the district Collectorate in Vijayawada on Wednesday.

The webinar focused on creating sustainable livelihoods for women and developing their skills, while encouraging them to take up self-employment and entrepreneurship. Skill Manthan was conceived as a platform for sharing innovative initiatives and best practices being implemented by districts across the country in the areas of skill development, employment and entrepreneurship.

During the webinar, innovative programmes aimed at improving livelihoods and skill development among women in different parts of the country were showcased. The RISE programme of NTR district was prominently highlighted as one of the notable initiatives.

Speaking after the webinar, Dr Lakshmisha said the RISE centre at Guntupalli was working towards equipping women with skills and converting their capabilities into sustainable sources of income, in line with the vision of the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister and the concept of “one family–one entrepreneur.”

He said the district administration, with the support of NITI Aayog, SERP and other departments, was taking measures to create self-employment opportunities for women through the RISE initiative. The Collector said efforts were underway to expand the programme further and develop NTR district as a model district in women’s empowerment and skill development. DRDA Project Director ANV Nanchar Rao and other officials participated in the programme.