Sikkim Govt to assist GTA’s capacity building initiative

VISHNU NEOPANEY

Sikkim will support the Gorkha Territorial Administration of Darjeeling in its developmental activities by providing intellectual support and providing technical inputs for Capacity Building activities, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling said while addressing a joint press conference with the GTA chief Bimal Gurung here in Gangtok today.
He said that Sikkim will provide the human resource to train GTA officials on improving capacity building measures to provide job security in the Hills.

Capacity building course for masons for quality Rural Housing

GANGTOK, 04 May [IPR]: Statewide Training of Trainers on Quality Rural Housing was organized from 28 April to 02 May 2014 by the Rural Management and Development Department, Government of Sikkim in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi under the Rural Housing Knowledge Network (RHKN) initiative of the Ministry of Rural Development.  

Under this knowledge partnership, the Department has developed Audio Visual modules of correct construction practices using cement and steel. These modules were disseminated to state engineers and master masons for sharing with the larger community of practitioners and professionals so that overall quality of rural housing construction in the state can be influenced at large.

The master masons expressed their appreciation of the audio visual guidance that was handed over to them on microSD cards for easy viewing on their mobile phones as well as sharing with other masons. A well –illustrated ‘Sikkim Rural Housing Handbook for Supervisors’ was also distributed to all the engineers at the Workshop. The objective of the Handbook is to communicate correct construction practices as well as provide a monitoring checklist for supervisors of rural housing works to effectively contribute to quality enhancement. Covering about 200 masons and 60 engineers, the workshop deliberations also brought out ideas on making rural housing more efficient, cost effective and greener.

Senior Scientist from IIT Delhi, Mona Anand who has been associated with the training programme since its inception, appreciated the proactive stand of the department for promoting quality and disaster resilient housing in rural Sikkim. The workshop ended with a vote of thanks from the participants expressing solidarity and commitment towards building a disaster resilient Sikkim.

Capacity building workshop for Social Scientists begins at Sikkim Univ

GANGTOK, 16 Apr: A two-week long Capacity Building Workshop for the faculty of Social Sciences was inaugurated by the Sikkim University Vice-Chancellor, Prof TB Subba here today. The workshop is being organized by the Indian Council of Social Science Research in collaboration with Sikkim University.

Thirty participants from different parts of the country have registered for the workshop. The workshop has resource persons and experts from different universities and organizations of the country.

In his inaugural address, Prof Subba stated that such capacity building was important for social scientists to get new ideas and knowledge to carry out their research work. He added that the workshop would also be helpful to enhance the capacity of social science faculties.

He mentioned that social scientists are found to be highly ambitious in their research but are poor when it comes to their methodologies. Linking research with the larger section of the population and the society is very important, he stressed.  Prof Subba further added that such workshops would be helpful to social scientists to further their research. 

ICAR-Sikkim hosts capacity building exercise for scientists to boost rice production

GANGTOK, 05 Dec: Realising the need to evolve strategies to improve the production and productivity of rice through capacity building, a seven-day training was organized under the NAIP-I funded project “Development and Maintenance of Rice Knowledge Management Portal” (RKMP) from 28 November to 04 December here at ICAR Sikkim Centre.
The aim was to train professionals working in the field about recent developments in rice production technologies. 35 participants from across the country comprising of professionals from KVKs, ICAR institutes, CAUs and SAUs participated in this training programme, an official press release informs. They were introduced to various rice production technologies through open interaction with scientists and field visits.
The need for such a training was necessitated by the fact that rice is one of the major food crops of India in terms of area, production and consumer preference. India is the second largest producer and consumer of rice in the world with substantial share in the global rice production that hovers in the range of 19.5 to 24.5 per cent. India earns foreign exchange of more than Rs. 7,000 crores and tops the list of rice export in the world (2012) with a figure of 10.3 million tonnes followed by Vietnam (7.7 million tonnes) and Thailand (7 million tonnes).
However, in spite of having several breakthroughs in rice production technologies and rice development programmes, some major rice growing areas are still lagging behind due to several constraints associated with rice production; amongst which existing rice information sharing mechanism is found to be prominent.
Chief guest for the valedictory programme on 04 December, PT Bhutia, Principal Director-cum-Secretary, FS&AD Department, expressed concern over the negative impact of green revolution and emphasized upon the need for “evergreen revolution” the term coined by Prof. MS Swaminathan and also called upon the trainees to utilize the knowledge and benefits gained from this trainingfor the welfare of farming community.
Present as the guest of honour Dr. MC Diwakar, Director, DRD, Patna, stressed upon the need to go for high yielding/ hybrid varieties in rice in order to achieve the goals of Nutritional Security Mission and reduce the hunger and malnutrion in the country. Dr. RK Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR Sikkim Centre, in his deliberations highlighted the role of ICAR in technology development and voiced his will to extend full support and cooperation to Govt. of Sikkim for the improvement of agriculture and allied sectors in the state.
He also said that agricultural professionals are seriously concerned for feeding the people of India and urged the participants to carry forward the technologies gained from this training to the farmers of their region.
Dr. AK Mohanty, Prog. Coordinator, KVK, East Sikkim and Co-PI, NAIP-RKMP gave a brief introduction about the RKMP Project and also highlighted the significance of organising such capacity building programmes. Earlier, Chandan Kapoor, Scientist (Plant Breeding) welcomed the gatherings and at the end, Dr. R. Gopi, Scientist, (Plant Pathology) proposed the vote of thanks.

SICB begins two more demand-driven capacity building courses

TRAINING BEGINS FOR PROSPECTIVE CAREGIVERS AND HOUSEKEEPERS
GANGTOK, 19 May: The State Institute of Capacity Building has started two more Livelihood Schools, these offering courses for Caregivers and Housekeeping at Karfectar in South Sikkim and Pelling in West Sikkim respectively.
The 3-month long course for Caregivers is being conducted at the SICB campus at Karfectar and trainees will be placed in Singapore upon successful completion of the course, an official press release informs. The travel documents like passports and immigration papers are being processed to ensure that the trainees have their document ready by the time they complete their course.
The SICB has engaged experts to train candidates in care of senior citizens, soft skills, inter-personal relations and proficiency in English language. A total of 23 candidates from different parts of Sikkim are undergoing this course.
Similarly, a six month course for housekeeping skills has also been started at Pelling, West Sikkim recently to cater to the job market readily available for this trade. The south district Zilla Panchayat and NGO from Yangang helped find suitable candidates from Yangang and Rabong area where the demand of such trainees is already felt. The candidates, after the training are expected to be placed in Rabong and Sikkim University in Yangang as informed by Zilla Panchayat and other institutions. Nonetheless, the SICB will also support the trainees for their placements in fine Hotels and other organizations for their placement, the release adds.

Training held for JFMC and EDC members

GANGTOK, 19 Feb [IPR]: A two-day capacity building programme on “Management Of JFMCs and EDCs”  was conducted for JFMC and EDC Presidents and Member Secretary and other frontline staff of Forest Department on 17 and 18 February at the State Institute Of Rural Development, Karfectar, Jorethang under the JICA-assisted Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation and Forest Management Project.
Representatives from 23 Initial Intervention Villages/ JFMCs and EDCs from South and West District participated in the training programme. The programme was inaugurated by DFO-cum-Project Coordinator, South and West Districts, Blen Tshering Targain. He expressed the need for capacity building of JFMC/EDC members to increase the efficiency and effective implementation of project activities in the field. Four such trainings were planned under JICA assisted Sikkim Bio Diversity and Forest Conservation Project for the year in South and West District inclusive of two trainings conducted earlier in the month of June 2011 at State Institute of Capacity Building, Karfectar.
The JFMC and EDC members residing in various forest fringe villages in Sikkim who are actively engaged in protection, conservation and management of our precious forests, learnt skills of motivating communities and effective communication for strengthening Joint Forest Management activities. Emphasis was given on financial management of JFMCs/EDCs wherein R.O.(T) Namchi, Tsheten T. Lepcha made a presentation on book keeping, cashbook and importance of financial management.
Similarly, Nima Tashi of Khangchendzonga Conservation Committee, DFO (LU&Env,South) Udai Gurung and DFO(WL), South, Nischal Gautam spoke on Microplanning, Entry Point Activities and Forest Protection respectively. As such, the participating trainees or members of JFMCs/EDCs were exposed to every aspect of participatory forest management and their roles and responsibilities in management of JFMC/EDC vis-a-vis- conservation and management of forest.
Mr. Targain informed that during the current financial year 23 JFMCs/EDCs have been selected in South and West District under the project as Initial Intervention Villages and another 23 such villages will be selected in next financial year as Spread Effect Villages. Further, the SBFP shall cover 180 such villages throuhgout the state during the project period and 540 Self Help Groups i.e., three SHGs under each JFMCs/EDCs.  
During the training, JFMC/EDC Presidents from different villages also shared their experiences, constraints and opportunities in Joint Forest Management. They were in view that the response of members of JFMCs/EDCs and panchayats have been very positive while planning village development and forest development activities under the project.
The training was conducted by Training Coordinator, Project Management Consultant, Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation and Forest Management Project, Sudarsan Dey. The training concluded with vote of thanks by DFO, SBFP, South and West District.

Second Entrepreneurship Awareness Camp for Livelihood School trainees concludes

GANGTOK, 08 Jan: The second “Entrepreneurship Awareness Camp” (EAC) for students of different Livelihood Schools under State Institute of Capacity Building (SICB), Karfectar, South Sikkim concluded on 07 January at the Directorate of Capacity Building, Deorali, Gangtok, informs a press release. Students of Syari and Upper Tadong Livelihood School participated in the camp.

Green Skills Training Centre inaugurated at Beng

GANGTOK, 21 Dec: A “Green Skills Training Centre” of Basix Academy for Building Lifelong Employability [B-ABLE] was inaugurated at Beng, Khamdong Phatak, near Makha, by the Khamdong-Singtam MLA, Am Prasad Sharma, yesterday.

State Board of Livelihood School meets to strengthen skill development initiative

GANGTOK, 16 Dec: The second meeting of State Board of Livelihood School was held today at the conference hall of the Directorate of Capacity Building, Khadi Bhavan, Gangtok. The meeting was presided over by Minister of Human Resource Development Department, NK Pradhan, who is also the chairperson of the State Board of Livelihood School.

Skill up-gradation training at Sikip

NAMCHI, 09 Dec: A floriculture and soft-toy training programme on long-term skill up-gradation was conducted under the leadership of Nehru Yuva Kendra (NYK) volunteer, Randeep Rai of Sikip block. The training is being organized by Jharna Club of Omchu at the club house situated at Sikip block and is sponsored by Nehru Yuva Kendra, Namchi.

A NEW VENTURE: first steps towards Livelihood through Poultry Farming

 First steps are always the toughest one. One needs to gather the courage, assemble all the resources and with sheer determination walk forward towards a new goal.

IDFC Foundation to conduct Sensitization Programme for municipal representatives

GANGTOK, 03 Nov: As part of a national capacity building programme of the Ministry of Urban Development, IDFC Foundation is conducting a one-day sensitization programme for the elected municipal representatives of Sikkim in Gangtok, on 04 November, informs a press release.

Darap’s village tourism stakeholders begin training at Mayfair

GANGTOK, 23 Aug: Darap in West Sikkim has been adopted by Mayfair Hotels & Resorts through the Sikkim Hotel & Restaurant Association [SHRA] for promotion of village tourism in the area. The hotel is assisting Darap in capacity building, human resource development, promotion and marketing, logistic support and in creating a sustainable business development model for the village.

TAAS team leaves on NE tour to promote capacity-building course

GANGTOK, 18 Aug: A four-member team of Travel Agents Association of Sikkim [TAAS], led by general secretary, S Norgay Lachungpa, includes treasurer, Randip Khati, secretary [east], Arun Bhagat, and secretary [west], Barap Namgyal, have left on a tour of the North East Region, informs a press release.
The team is on a tour to promote the ‘Capacity Building Training for the Tourism Stake Holders of North East Region’ being organized by TAAS and sponsored by the North Eastern Council (NEC), Ministry of DONER, and supported by the Government of Sikkim.
They will be visiting all the seven states. Training is scheduled to begin in September and conclude by the end of January 2012, the release informs. So far, TAAS has received a good response from Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Assam for all the 10 courses on offer. The touring team will now be focusing on Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur.

CM chairs first governing body meet of State Institute of Capacity Building

“Not just skills, also infuse confidence”
NAMCHI, 22 April: The State Institute of Capacity Building (SICB) held its first governing body meeting followed by a convocation programme yesterday at the SICB campus at Karfectar in South Sikkim. The meeting was conducted under the presidentship of Chief Minister Pawan Chamling who is also the Chief In-charge of SICB.
During the board meeting Chief Administrator, SICB, SD Dhakal presented the progress report and 21 agendas which were later passed by the board.

First batch of 15 beauty therapists call on CM

GANGTOK, 15 April [IPR]: Fifteen beauty therapists who were trained at Ananda Spa Institute in Hyderabad under the Skills Development Scheme of the Directorate of Capacity Building called on Chief Minister Pawan Chamling at his official residence Mintogang today.
All the trainees hail from rural backgrounds and thanked the Chief Minister, the State government and the Directorate of Capacity Building for providing them an opportunity to shape their careers. The 2010-11 batch of 15 youth trained in the same trade and institute has been placed in renowned, popular and big brand-name spa centers across the country like Oberoi Hotel & Spas, Mumbai/ Kolkata/ Shimla; Westin Resort & Spas, Sohna/ Gurgaon; Four Seasons Hotel, Mumbai; Moksha Spa, Himachal Pradesh and May Fair Hotels and Spas, Gangtok.

North East Council selects TAAS to impart tourism training

Rs. 1.46 CRORE BUDGET SANCTIONED FOR CAPACITY BUILDING TRAINING TO BE OFFERED BY TAAS TO TOURISM STAKEHOLDERS FROM NORTH-EAST REGION
GANGTOK, 06 April: Keeping in mind the steady rise in the number of tourism-related activities prompted by the increasing number of tourist arrivals, the North Eastern Council, Ministry of DoNER, realizing the need of improved professionalism to cater to the tourists, has sanctioned a whopping Rs. 146.36 lakhs to Travel Agents Association of Sikkim [TAAS] to undertake skill- development trainings for youth from the NE region in Sikkim.
The funding has been granted under the scheme, “Skill Development and Capacity Building Training for Tour Operators and pother Tourism Stakeholders of the North East Region”, which will be implemented by TAAS and completed by end-December this year.