THE TOUGHEST CHALLENGE BEFORE US IS, HOW QUICKLY WE CAN TRAIN THE NEW ENTRANTS AND ASPIRANTS TO INDIA'S WORKFORCE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR DOMESTIC AND EXPORT ECONOMY - PM

WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDE WELFARE FOR, AND UPGRADATION OF THE SKILLS OF OUR WORKFORCE IN THE ORGANIZED AND THE UNORGANIZED SECTOR - DR. SAHIB SINGH

PM PRESENTED SHRAM BHUSHAN, SHRAM VEER AND SHRAM SHREE/SHRAM DEVI AWARDS TO 37 OUTSTANDING WORKERS

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Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee said the toughest challenge before us is, how quickly we can train the new entrants and aspirants to India's workforce to meet the needs of our domestic and export economy. If we do this it also presents to us the biggest opportunity for wealth creation and poverty eradication. He further said an extensive programme for improving labour market information, vocational guidance and the skill training is the need of the hour. The skill level and educational attainment of the workforce determines the productivity as well as the adaptability of the working class in a changing environment. The Prime Minister, therefore, urged the industry to substantially augment its efforts and invest more in human resource development - to meet the immediate needs as well as to prepare for tomorrow's challenges. Recognizing the merit of the workers in the production of the country, PM said: 'In presenting these prestigious awards we honour not only a set of outstanding workers but also the entire working community of India. Such recognition of the role of labour in nation building is all the more necessary in the context of the economic reforms. It is you, the working people of India, who keep the wheels of national progress moving.' The Prime Minister was speaking in a function organized for presentation of Prime Minister's Shram Awards to outstanding workers in New Delhi.

The Labour Minister Dr. Sahib Singh said that we are, for the first time, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, are taking care of the vast sea of humanity in the unorganized sector. We are determined to provide welfare for, and upgradation of the skills of our workforce in the organized and the unorganized sector . In charting this difficult path we have adopted the approach of consensus with all the social partners in this venture of nation building. In this era of liberalization, privatization and globalization, we have to upgrade the skills of the workforce to face the challenges of modern time. We are particularly concerned about the participation of female workforce in the production of the country.

The Prime Minister presented Shram Awards for the year 2001 to 37 workmen in the developmental undertakings and public sector undertakings of the Central and the State Governments in recognition of their distinguished performances, innovative abilities, outstanding contribution in the field of productivity and exhibition of exceptional courage and presence of mind. This year, no workman has been found suitable for Shram Ratna Award. As such, three Shram Bhushan Awards including one in lieu of Shram Ratna Award have been selected this year. In addition, six entries for Shram Vir and eight for Shram Shri/Shram Devi Awards have been selected. Even though the total number of Shram Awards is only 17, the number of workmen receiving the Awards is 37 (including 01 woman), as some of the Awards have been given to team of workmen consisting of more than one person. The Shram Ratna is the highest award (one in number) among the Shram awards and carries a cash award of Rs. 2 lakh alongwith a 'Sanad'. The Shram Bhushan Awards carry a cash award of Rs. One lakh and a 'Sanad' each. Shram Vir Awards carry a cash award of Rs. 60,000/- and a 'Sanad' each. Shram Shri/Shram Devi Award carries a cash award of Rs. 40,000/- and a 'Sanad' each.

The function started with lighting of the lamp by Prime Minister followed by peace prayer and a welcome song. Minister of State for Labour, Shri Vijay Goel welcomed the Prime Minister and the guests. Additional Secretary in Labour Ministry, Shri Baleshwar Rai gave a vote of thanks. On this occasion the Labour Minister of Republic of Mozambique, Dr. Mario Lampiao Sevene was also present.

The following are the awardees of Prime Minister's Shram Awards, 2001:

SHRAM BHUSAN
1. Sh. V.R Bahuleyan, Chargeman Gr. I	Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli
2. Sh. Rameshwar Ram, Technician Gr.II	Rihand Super Thermal Power Project NTPC )
Sh.P.K Tewari, Technician Gr.III	-do- )
Sh. Jagai Ram, Tech.(Welder)Gr.I	-do- ) Jointly
Sh.Harihar Prasad, Rigger Gr.II	-do- )
Sh.Ashok Kumar Ram,Tech(Workshop)Gr.IV	-do- )
3. Sh.Mookesh Sharma, Senior Technician	Bhilai Steel Plant(SAIL) Bhilai Durg Chhatisgarh )
Sh. Pawan Kumar Verna, Sr.Operator	-do- )
Sh.Sharad Chandra Pandagre, Tech.	-do- ) Jointly
Sh.Gurubhed Singh Chhabra, Sr. Tech.	-do- )
Sh.Anugrah Sevastian Kujur, Operator	-do- )
SHRAM VIR
4. Sh.Dharanipathi Bhaskar Rao, Traesman 'G'	Nuclear Fuel Complex ECIL, Hyderabad )
Sh.Kaziur Annakutti Kannan, Tradesman'G'	-do-)
Sh.Akula Narasimha Rao, Tradesman 'D'	-do-)
Sh. Vasana Kishore Kumar, Tradesman 'C'	-do-) Jointly
Sh. Kasala Sahajananda Swamy, Tradesman'C'	-do-)
5. Sh.Nand Lal Nishad, F/Man(SARANG)	Chamera Hydroelectic Project NHPC LTD, Khairj Chamba, (HP)
6. Sh. Jagadish Bhai Vishabhai Darji, Helper Gr.II	Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. Kandla
7. Sh. Nalini Kanta Babu, Chargeman	Rourkela Steel Plant(SAIL)
8. Sh. Kishori Lal, Sr. Technician	Power Grid Corp. of India Ltd Sarna, Pathankot (Punjab)
Sh.Jagdev Singh, Sr. Technician	-do- Bohd. Nurpur(HP)
Sh. Babu Singh, Technician Gr.III	-do- Salal, Jammu (J&K)
Sh. Om Parkash singh, Tech.Gr.I	-do- Wagoora (Srinagar) J&K
Sh.Devinder Kumar, Tech. Gr..IV (jointly)	-do- Wagoora (Srinagar) J&K
9. Sh.Arumughom Pillai, Forman A	Nuclear Power Corp. Kalpakkam
SHRAM SHRI/SHRAM DEVI
10. Ms. Kommu Ujjwala, Sr.Tech.Asstt.	Defence Research and Dev. Laboratory, Hyderabad
11. Sh. A Hohammed Ishaq, Sr.Gr.I Operator	HTL Ltd. Guindy, Chennai (TN)
12. Sh. Wali Mohamad Bhat, Jr. Machinist 'C'	HMT Ltd. Watch Factor,Zainakota Srinagar
13. Sh. Arun Kumar singh, Operator 'C'	Barauni Refinery Begusarai, India OIL Corp. (Bihar)
Sh. Tarkeshwar Prasad Operator 'C'	-do- ) jointly
14. Sh. Kesavaraju Ksheera Sagar Turner/ Border HSK-I	Vaval Dockyard Visakhapatnam
15.Sh. Jayanta Manna Sr. Forman	Farakka Super Thermal Power Station NTPC LTD. Murshidabad,
Sh.Om Prakash Pandey, Forman Gr.I	-do-)
Sh. Lala Madhurendra Kr.Tech.Gr.I	-do-) jointly
Sh.Sital Chandra Mondal, Tech.Gr.IV	-do-)
16.Sh.Sada Narzary, Workman	Bongaigaon substation Powergrid, Salakati, Assam
17.Sh.M Divakara Rao, Skilled Fitter Gr.II	Electric LocoShed, Nad Post Vishakhapatnam (AP)