Rourkela, May 2: Sundargarh district has been awarded for the implementation and successful management of various innovative skill development programmes.

The Sundargarh District Administration has been conferred as the ‘Most Improved District’ in the category of Skill Development at ‘State of the State Odisha’ conclave by India Today held recently. Collector Sundargarh Nikhil Pavan Kalyan received the award from Odisha Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra in the presence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

Various districts were honoured at the special conclave while Sundargarh District Administration was awarded for its outstanding achievements in skill development programmes. The Collector thanked all the officers, functionaries and partners of various skill development programmes in Sundargarh for the honour. He also wished for a bright future to the youths who are taking training and coaching under the Sskill development programmes of the district.

Over the past few years, the District Administration has undertaken a number of innovative skill development programmes in Sundargarh. Free coaching is provided to the educated youth from the mining affected areas of the district to help them crack different competitive examinations under the Sudakshya programme with four centres at Sundargarh, Rourkela, Bonai and Koira. 

Similarly, the District Administration also provides free higher education entrance coaching for the meritorious students from mining affected blocks of the district to crack their dream career. Classes are provided for class 10 and 12 appearing and passing students, to crack entrances like IIT, JEE, NEET, NATA and CLAT. For the purpose, three centres have been established at Rourkela, Sundargarh and Rajgangpur to provide coaching facilities to students.