THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, APRIL 4, 2026

Shaktikanta Das, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of India, visited the World Skill Center (WSC) in Bhubaneswar on Saturday, highlighting the growing national emphasis on advanced skill development as a critical driver of India’s economic transformation. His visit reaffirmed the importance of equipping India’s youth with globally competitive capabilities aligned with evolving industry requirements.

During the visit, Das reviewed WSC’s state-of-the-art Centres of Excellence in Vertical Transportation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Beauty & Wellness, and the School of Hospitality. He appreciated the institution’s advanced infrastructure, progressive training methodologies, and its strong focus on industry-integrated, outcome-oriented skill development designed to enhance employability and productivity.

Anu Garg, Chief Secretary of Odisha, and Bhupendra Singh Poonia, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Skill Development & Technical Education (SD&TE), Government of Odisha, accompanied him during the visit.

Das also held detailed interactions with the World Skill Center’s senior leadership, including Rashmi Ranjan Mohapatra, Chief Executive Officer; Pinaki Patnaik, Additional Secretary, SD&TE and Chief Operating Officer, WSC; and Dr. Subhanga Kishore Das, Principal. The discussions provided valuable insights into Odisha’s evolving skilling ecosystem and highlighted the institution’s role as a flagship centre driving excellence in technical education and advanced training.

Key deliberations focused on strengthening workforce readiness, enhancing the quality and relevance of training programmes, and aligning skilling initiatives with emerging global industry needs. Emphasis was placed on deepening collaboration among government, industry, and training institutions to build an agile, employment-oriented talent pool capable of meeting the demands of future economies.

The visit underscored the Government of Odisha’s strategic commitment to empowering youth with advanced technical competencies, promoting innovation in skill delivery, and expanding livelihood opportunities. The World Skill Center continues to play a transformative role in nurturing next-generation talent, positioning Odisha as a leading hub of excellence in skill development and contributing significantly to India’s vision of inclusive growth and global competitiveness.