Hyderabad, Jan 21 (Reporter) Union Tourism Minister G. Kishan Reddy inaugurated the National Skill Training Institute for Women (NSTI) (W) at Vidyanagar here on Sunday. Speaking on the occasion, Kishan Reddy said that “every effort of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a step towards empowering India's YuvaShakti and realizing the vision of a developed India by 2047.”. Empowerment of women has been a major priority for the Government of India, he said. The Central Government has launched numerous schemes to empower women. Initiatives like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP), Ujjwala, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), Mudra Yojana, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, and Reservations in Sainik Schools are helping them build their decision-making power while increasing their opportunities. Abrogation of Article 370 has ensured equal rights for J&K women, and Triple Talaq law has contributed to woman empowerment, the minister added. Addressing the event, Ms. Trishaljit Sethi, Director General (Training), DGT, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, said that NSTI (W) Hyderabad is a commendable initiative aimed at bridging the skill gap and empowering women through quality vocational training, as the institute is positioned to address the shortage of skilled workforce and educators. The institute helps to significantly contribute to the empowerment of women by providing them with the skills needed for various industries. Women's training and empowerment are our priorities, as we believe that increased women's participation in the workforce will contribute to the nation's economic growth, she added. NSTI (W), the permanent campus of NSTI (W) Hyderabad, was completed with a total project cost of Rs. 19,95,90,000, and it offers long-term courses under the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) and Craft Instructor’s Training Scheme (CITS) in trades such as fashion design and technology, cosmetology, architectural draftsman, information technology (support executive), and IoT (smart agriculture). Short-term courses catering to high-demand skill areas include professional beauty therapy, cutting and tailoring, drafting, cutting, stitching, and finishing of dresses, the Internet of Things (IoT), AutoCAD, and 3D Revit. The institute aims to train 2500 women annually, with 480 women enrolled in long-term courses and an additional 2000 women in various short-term courses. Currently, 120 trainees are undergoing long-term vocational training in the institute under the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) and Craft Instructor’s Training Scheme (CITS) courses...////...