Shillong, Nov 17: Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma inaugurated the Japanese Training Programme organised by Meghalaya State Skill Development Society, Department of Labour, Employment & Skill Development, Government of Meghalaya at Mount View Building, Barik, Shillong. Also present during the inauguration was Minister, Labour etc Methodius Dkhar and Nishikwa Toshiaki San, Chairman and CEO of Asean Group Co Ltd besides the Japanese tutors and officials from MSSDS.
Speaking during the inauguration, the chief minister said Meghalaya is working very closely with Japan in multiple fields and sectors. “Our thought process is very clear and focussed we don’t want to have multiple tie-ups with multiple nations because if you try to tie up with everybody you will not have a relationship with anybody,” he said and added that Japan and the Northeastern states have similarities in terms of food and culture and Japan has been working in collaboration with India for many years.
Reflecting on the journey of collaboration with Japan, the chief minister said that two years ago only two nurses were sent to Japan and till date there are 37 nurses working in Japan with more expected to join in the coming months. “Our nurses working in Japan today are at N4 Grading and we wish our nurses to be N3 Grade nurses for higher salaries. Our nurses are on an average sending about Rs 1 lakh back home to their families and the foreign exchange coming into our state through these 37 nurses is about Rs 5 crore annually,” he said.
The chief minister said that the government would like to provide the opportunity to the youth of the state to go to Japan not only to earn their livelihoods but also to gain experience and said, “This is where the partnership between ASEAN group and the Meghalaya government comes into the picture and we as a government are facilitating this entire process.” He also informed that the 37 nurses who are in Japan had to undergo training in Bangalore for six months. “You are fortunate for you will be trained right here in Shillong,” he said.
Welcoming the two tutors from Japan the chief minister said that though there would be challenges, the government and the people of Meghalaya will do their best to ensure their comfortable stay in the state.
The chief minister urged the students to make the best use of the opportunity to enhance their skills and chances of employability.
86 students have registered for the 6 months Japanese language training programme.
