Press Information Bureau

Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) Malappuram, operating under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India, commemorated the 10th anniversary of the Ministry through a vibrant Beneficiary Meet and Exhibition in the presence of Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and Minister of State, Ministry of Education, Government of India Shri Jayant Chaudhary. The event celebrated a decade of inclusive, grassroots skill development and community transformation, with over 50,000 individuals impacted through innovative, livelihood-focused training programs.

In his address at the event, Shri Jayant Chaudhary lauded the efforts of JSS Malappuram and said that it is a beacon of community-led empowerment. He said, "Our Prime Minister has envisioned small, nano, micro, and rural enterprises as the driving force of India’s economic growth. The transformational impact of this vision is evident in the way we are empowering artisans and communities in some of the most remote corners of the country. The core philosophy of the Jan Shikshan Sansthan scheme is to address grassroots realities and respond to the needs of local communities.”

“JSS Malappuram stands as a shining example of this approach. Whether it is reaching tribal hamlets or supporting specially-abled citizens, it embodies dignity, inclusion, and sustainability. These are not just centres for skilling — they are centres of hope. As we move towards Viksit Bharat @2047, models like JSS Malappuram show us the true power of community-led transformation," he further added.

Since its establishment in 2006, JSS Malappuram has pioneered initiatives tailored to needs of the region. The VIDYA initiative introduced a specially designed talking pen to improve literacy among tribal populations, coupled with food processing training and health support such as the distribution of spectacles and flashlights. ULLASAM – Job with Pleasure has provided meaningful employment and emotional support to widows, unmarried women over 40, and divorcees by combining five days of work with a dedicated day of yoga and wellness. SPARSHAM, a training and enterprise initiative for specially-abled individuals, has led to the formation of a self-run production unit that now benefits from market linkages provided with the support of the District Administration.

JSS Malappuram’s strength lies in its convergence model — working in close collaboration with local governments, CSR partners, NABARD, academic institutions, and civil society to create lasting impact. The institution has served as a key training partner for multiple national initiatives including DDUGKY, NULM, PMKVY, Nai Manzil, Nai Roshni, and more. Since 2021, it has been implementing an Integrated Tribal Development Programme in partnership with NABARD Kerala, benefiting 400 families. It now plans to expand this model through the launch of an Integrated Coastal Development Programme in the coming year.

The centre’s remarkable journey has been acknowledged nationally and internationally. It was conferred with the Sakshar Bharat Award in 2014 by the President of India, the UNESCO Confucius Literacy Prize in 2016, and the Tagore Literacy Award in 2017. In the Ministry’s grading for 2021–22, JSS Malappuram scored 98%, among the highest in the country. As a fully onboarded partner of the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH), the institution is pioneering digital integration and transparency in rural skilling, including real-time monitoring and Aadhaar-based attendance systems.

The celebration also witnessed the distribution of 1,800 certificates to JSS beneficiaries and 300 to those trained under the PM Vishwakarma scheme. In a significant step toward bridging the digital divide, the event also marked the launch of AI Literacy modules for rural beneficiaries, in collaboration with NASSCOM.

Earlier in the day, Shri Chaudhary inaugurated the Skill Development Centre established by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India, under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) at Amal College of Advanced Studies, Nilambur. Hon'ble Minister also launched some new-age courses, including AI, medical coding, digital and financial literacy, which will be provided by MSDE.

Developed at a cost of ₹7.92 crores, the Centre is a state-of-the-art facility designed to provide world-class training infrastructure for job-oriented education in minority-concentration areas.

With dedicated laboratories, seminar halls, and innovation hubs, the Centre reflects the Government's commitment to bridging regional disparities and equipping youth—especially women and marginalized communities—with the skills needed to thrive in a modern workforce. The Minister lauded the initiative as a model of convergence between education and employability, aligned with the vision of inclusive development and Viksit Bharat @2047.

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Manish Gautam/Shahbaz Hasibi

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