Eastern States Power India’s Growth Through Skill Excellence

Bhubaneswar, Mar 3: The eastern states are steadily strengthening India’s growth story, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary said on Monday while addressing the valedictory session of the IndiaSkills Regional Competition 2025–26 (Eastern Region) held in Bhubaneswar.

Describing the event as more than a contest of abilities, Chaudhary said it reflected the rising aspirations and capabilities of India’s youth. He noted that such platforms deepen collaboration among states, industries and institutions, ensuring that talent from every district finds opportunity and recognition.

The four-day competition, organised under the aegis of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and supported by the National Skill Development Corporation, brought together over 200 skilled youth from Odisha, Bihar, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Participants competed across 59 skill categories, including 37 onsite demonstrations and 22 assessed through innovative formats, all benchmarked against national and international industry standards. The skills ranged from cloud computing, electronics and CNC machining to mobile app development, web technologies, hospitality, beauty therapy, floristry, fashion technology and welding.

Odisha Industries, Skill Development and Technical Education Minister Sampad Chandra Swain said that as India advances towards a Viksit Bharat, development must be viewed beyond physical and economic growth. Real progress, he emphasised, is rooted in skills and driven by capability, confidence and access to the right opportunities. He added that Odisha has laid out a forward-looking roadmap to achieve the vision of a Viksit Odisha.

Odisha Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj observed that the Skill India Mission, envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has transformed skilling into a nationwide movement, enabling youth to showcase their talents at global platforms such as the WorldSkills Competition.

At the conclusion of the event, 132 outstanding performers were honoured with medals — 53 Gold, 48 Silver, 31 Bronze and 37 Medallions for Excellence. Odisha topped the medal tally, followed by Bihar and West Bengal, reflecting the growing ecosystem of vocational training and professional excellence in eastern India.

The winners will now progress within the IndiaSkills ecosystem as part of India’s national talent pipeline, with the potential to represent the country at international competitions.

A specially curated audio-visual presentation during the ceremony captured the participants’ journeys, highlighting their perseverance and achievements. Beyond the awards, the competition reinforced a larger message — that skill is not merely a pathway to employment, but a powerful force for empowerment, confidence and national progress.