(ANS – Tezpur) – In a bold initiative inaugurated on Sunday 8 December at Tezpur in Sonitupur district of Assam, the Salesians of the Guwahati province laid the foundation stone for the first of four Social and Technological Institutes designed to train rural youth. Similar institutes will commence in the coming year at Maligaon (Kamrup), Barpeta Road (Barpeta) and Mendal (East Garo Hills).

Among the dignitaries who assisted at the colourful foundation stone laying ceremony were former Tezpur Bishop Robert Kerketta, Vice-Chancellor of Tezpur University, Dr Mihir Kanti Chaudhuri, Vice-Chancellor of Assam Don Bosco University Dr Stephen Mavely, and former Salesian Provincial of Guwahati Dr Joseph Almeida.

“It has been our dream, over 40 years now, to start something for skills training of unemployed rural youth in Tezpur where Salesian pioneer missionaries established missions before 1970” said Salesian provincial of Guwahati Fr V.M. Thomas.

“Even though India is the job factory for the world our educated and uneducated young people are unemployable. With these social and technological institutes our endeavour is to increase the number of skilled and employable youth,” said Fr Thomas recalling what Infosys CEO Narayan Murti told him some two years ago when he requested the IT tycoon to start a project in Assam.

“I need 3,000 IT engineers every year from the region to set up shop here,” said Mr Murti who went instead to Bhubaneshwar.

In addition to Office Management, Hospitality, Youth Leadership, and a Training programme for Teachers and Principals to ensure quality education, the institute will be engaged in advocacy, research and publication.

Speaking about the Don Bosco group Dr Chaudhuri said, “If they (Salesians) wish and they have decided to do something, God is there, and it will happen.” He insisted that training the youth of the region in, “attitude, aptitude and skill development,” was the most important role of the new institution.

To make his wish concrete, the Tezpur University Vice-Chancellor pledged support not only financially but also by putting Tezpur University School of Technology, both labs and faculty, at the disposal of the new institute.

Some 500 plus people participated in the event which included a cultural programme from youth groups of neighboring institutions, including a spirited and enthralling Assamese bihu dance by a local cultural troupe.

Published 18/12/2013