Date: 2025-07-17Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Union MoS for Minority Affairs ,Shri George Kurian Launches Skill Training and Women Entrepreneurship Development project under PM VIKAS at IIIT Kottayam, Kerala
**Summary:**
On July 17, 2025, the Union Minister of State (MoS) for Minority Affairs and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Shri George Kurian, launched a skill training and women entrepreneurship development project under the Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) scheme at the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Kottayam, Kerala. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Minority Affairs and IIIT Kottayam, outlining the training of 450 candidates from minority communities. Specifically, 150 youth will receive training in the Internet of Things (IoT), while 300 women will be trained in leadership and entrepreneurship development. The Ministry of Minority Affairs will fully fund the training, with IIIT Kottayam serving as the implementing institution. Trainees will receive stipends and assistance in securing employment and self-employment opportunities. The initiative aims to empower minority communities socioeconomically through skill development and entrepreneurship, enhancing their employability and fostering enterprise development. Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs, and Prof. Dr. Prasad Krishna, Director, IIIT Kottayam, were present at the launch.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Minority Affairs: A ministry in the Government responsible for matters related to minority communities.
Shri George Kurian: Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying.
PM VIKAS: Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) scheme, a program for skill training and entrepreneurship development.
IIIT Kottayam, Kerala: Indian Institute of Information Technology, Kottayam, Kerala, the location of the project launch and training.
Kerala: The State in India where the training project is being implemented.
Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar: Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs.
Internet of Things (IoT): A technology area in which 150 youth will be trained.
MoU: Memorandum of Understanding signed between Ministry of Minority Affairs and IIIT Kottayam for the training project.
Ministry of Minority Affairs
Union MoS for Minority Affairs ,Shri George Kurian
Launches Skill Training and Women
Entrepreneurship Development project under PM
VIKAS at IIIT Kottayam, Kerala
MoU signed between Ministry of Minority Affairs and
IIIT, Kottayam for training of 450 candidates from
minority communities
Implementation of project at IIIT Kottayam, will give
a fillip to capacity building and skill development
among minority communities in Kerala
Posted On: 17 JUL 2025 6:00PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Shri
George Kurian, launched a skill training and women entrepreneurship development project under
the Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) scheme at the Indian Institute of
Information Technology (IIIT), Kottayam today.The launch event was attended by Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar, Secretary (Minority Affairs), Prof. Dr. Prasad
Krishna, Director (IIIT Kottayam), officials from the Ministry of Minority Affairs and IIIT Kottayam, faculty
members, students, and PM VIKAS aspirants.
During the event, a MoU was signed between Ministry of Minority Affairs and IIIT, Kottayam for the training
of 450 candidates from minority communities at IIIT Kottayam, wherein 150 youth will be trained in Internet
of Things (IoT) and 300 women will be trained in leadership and entrepreneurship development. The training
cost would be entirely borne by the Ministry of Minority Affairs and IIIT Kottayam would be the
implementing institution for this project. The candidates would receive stipend during the training and will be
assisted for employment and self-employment opportunities.During his address, the Minister of State highlighted the benefits of the PM VIKAS scheme towards the
socio-economic empowerment of minority communities through skilling and entrepreneurship development,
thereby enhancing employability and supporting development of enterprises. During the event, he also
interacted with students from the area in order to better understand their aspirations.
It is envisaged that the implementation of this project at IIIT Kottayam, an Institute of national importance
renowned for its focus on technology, innovation and incubation, will give a fillip to capacity building and
skill development among the minority communities in Kerala.
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SS/ISA
(Release ID: 2145575)