THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, JANUARY 25, 2026

Marking India’s Republic Day celebrations with a compelling vision of the future, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) showcased its grand tableau titled “Powered by Skills: Building a Self-Reliant, Future-Ready India” at the Republic Day Parade on Kartavya Path. The tableau presented a powerful narrative of India’s transformation into a self-reliant and future-ready nation — powered by skills, driven by Yuva Shakti and enabled by innovation.

Leading the tableau were the All-India toppers of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), who had earlier been felicitated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Kaushal Deekshant Samaroh 2025, symbolising the central role of skilled youth in nation-building. Reinforcing India’s growing global presence in the skilling ecosystem, the tableau also celebrated the Ministry’s recent success at the WorldSkills Asia Competition 2025 in Taipei, where India won medals and a Medallion of Excellence, underscoring the country’s rising excellence and competitiveness in high-end skills on international platforms.

A strong emphasis on inclusive growth ran through the display, with women and men training side by side. Women trainees showcased in non-traditional, technology-driven roles highlighted how skilling initiatives are accelerating women-led economic growth and expanding participation in emerging sectors of the economy.

 “Kartavya Path is not just where we showcase the strength of our armed forces and our national achievements — it has become the Kaushal Path of Yuva Shakti, from where India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat moves forward.” This message resonated across the tableau, reinforcing the evolving role of skills as the foundation of national progress.

Future-oriented domains such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, electric mobility and semiconductors formed the centrepiece of the presentation, signalling India’s readiness for the future of work. The Ministry’s SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness) programme, which offers free government-led AI courses for all, reflected the Government of India’s focused push to prepare youth for AI-enabled roles and position India as a global leader in the AI revolution.

The tableau also paid tribute to traditional artisans and craftspeople alongside modern technologists, reflecting the spirit of Aatmanirbharta where heritage skills and new-age capabilities advance together. At its heart stood a striking human brain, symbolising creativity and critical thinking on one side and acquired analytical skills on the other. This was flanked by two interlocked hands representing the strengthened government–industry partnership through PM-SETU, the ambitious ITI upgradation scheme modernising 1,000 government ITIs.

The upgraded ITIs also support the training of Agniveers, ensuring they emerge as empowered, disciplined youth equipped with technical skills for national service and meaningful careers beyond. Together, the MSDE tableau conveyed a unified and inspiring vision of a nation where skills drive development, innovation creates opportunity, and youth stand firmly at the forefront of India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat.