GANGTOK: The Review Meeting of Sikkim INSPIRES was held on Friday at Samman Bhawan under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Mr Prem Singh Tamang. The meeting was organised by the Planning & Development Department to assess the progress and impact of the flagship programme.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister stated that the primary objective of Sikkim Inspires is to empower women and youth through comprehensive skill development trainings and capacity-building initiatives. He noted that over the past two years, the programme has made remarkable progress in achieving its intended goals by equipping participants with innovative skills and practical knowledge.
While acknowledging these achievements, the Chief Minister highlighted the importance of effectively utilising the trained manpower generated through the initiative. He stated that the true measure of success lies not merely in conducting trainings, but in promoting self-reliance, entrepreneurship, and sustainable livelihoods. He underlined the need to encourage young people to look beyond conventional white-collar employment and instead become job creators.
Highlighting broader challenges, the Chief Minister stressed the importance of transforming the mindset of the younger generation and strengthening a positive and disciplined work culture. He called for the judicious and transparent utilisation of funds to ensure the long-term sustainability and impact of the programme. Concluding his address, he expressed appreciation to all stakeholders and team members for their dedication and extended his best wishes for the continued success and timely completion of the project.
Chief Secretary Mr R. Telang, in his address, recalled the initial challenges faced during the first year of implementation. He stated that despite initial teething problems, the team successfully demonstrated the credibility and authenticity of the Annual Work Plan approved by the World Bank. He emphasised that government employees must act as mentors and facilitators, enabling citizens to take ownership and drive the programme forward.
He further stated that the Government’s role is to create opportunities, while ensuring that women and youth are empowered to sustain and manage these initiatives independently even after the programme concludes. The Chief Secretary also highlighted the vision of establishing a comprehensive State Data Portal, where every citizen would have an end-to-end digital imprint from birth to death. Placing citizens at the centre, he stated that such a system would transform governance in alignment with the digital era and significantly benefit the public.
Earlier, in her welcome address, Rohini Pradhan, Special Secretary, Planning & Development department cum Programme Director, Sikkim Inspires, informed that the initiative is designed as a results-driven, whole-of-government programme involving coordinated efforts of all concerned departments and agencies. She stated that the interventions are tailor-made for the women and youth of Sikkim, developed after a detailed baseline study and data collection process covering six priority sectors.
She also highlighted the major achievements and recognitions received by Sikkim Inspires at both national and international levels, notably the Integrated Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Strategy. A detailed presentation on the State Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Action Plan was delivered jointly by Madam Rohini Pradhan and Dr. Soumitra Pathare, Director, Centre for Mental Health, Law & Policy, Pune.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister also launched the CM-ELEVATE Scheme under the Skill Development Department, further strengthening the State’s commitment to youth empowerment and entrepreneurship.
During the meeting, all six District Collectors presented their respective Samriddha District Plans, while Nodal Officers from the concerned departments submitted progress reports on the implementation of the programme.
The meeting concluded with a collective resolve of the Government to build a self-reliant, skilled, and empowered generation in Sikkim, informs a press release from the Chief Minister’s Office.
- SA Report
