PM Modi Meets Team India Stars After WorldSkills Success
PM Narendra Modi interacts with Team India representatives following their success at the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted a special interaction with the representatives of Team India at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg on Friday. The meeting followed the nation's impressive performance at the 48th WorldSkills Competition held in Shanghai, where India showcased its technical prowess on the global stage.
A Celebration of Skill and Excellence
The participants, who represented the country at the WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, shared their journey and the immense pride they felt representing India. During the discussion, the young professionals detailed the challenges they faced, including the need to adapt to cutting-edge tools, sophisticated software, and complex technical systems used in international competition environments.
The interaction highlighted the growing impact of government initiatives in skill development, with participants noting how these efforts are directly empowering the youth of the nation.
Practical Skills Equal Academic Degrees
Congratulating the team for their global representation, Prime Minister Modi urged them to serve as ambassadors for skill development. In a significant statement regarding the future of education, the Prime Minister emphasized that practical skills are just as vital as academic degrees.
He noted that as technology evolves at a rapid pace, the youth must commit to a cycle of continuous learning. Key points from his address included:
- The necessity of upgrading existing capabilities to keep pace with emerging technologies.
- The importance of developing skills that align specifically with the requirements of the international market.
- The need for a coordinated effort between the youth, the Government, and training institutions.
The Prime Minister further underscored the government's vision by stating that the importance of skill training institutions should be viewed as being on par with prestigious bodies like the IITs and IIMs. He reiterated that the creation of a dedicated Ministry for Skill Development was a strategic move to establish India as a global hub for skilled human resources.
India's Historic Performance in Shanghai
The 48th WorldSkills Competition, held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, saw India fielding its largest-ever contingent. A total of 70 competitors participated across 63 different skill categories.
Team India's achievements included:
- Securing the 10th position in the overall global rankings.
- Winning 6 Silver Medals.
- Earning 20 Medals for Excellence.
The interaction was also attended by Jayant Chaudhary, the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, along with the Minister of State for Education and several senior government officials.