SOWing Seeds of Opportunity

By Sanghamitra Das

First woman to travel for 12 days with Skills On Wheels (SOW) in January 2020

Himachal Pradesh, the land of tough terrain, poses a unique challenge for vocational education students, hindering hands-on exposure and comprehension of the industry’s vast opportunities. Based on my field experiences across the state, embarking on a journey with SOW was imperative. The foremost challenge involved connecting the idea between our organization and state officials, linking it with the Ministry to create an impact across the state. The Herculean task included convincing the Vocational Training Provider to agree and collaborate for the journey, contacting DIET(District Institute of Education & Training) Principals school principals, and mobilizing Vocational Trainers to inform students—the ecosystem was intricate. To top it off, during the journey, we faced climatic adversities. Nevertheless, with affirmative determination and colleague support, the SOW journey unfolded as we had conceptualized: sowing a seed of realistic, achievable aspirations.

Informed choice enables students to understand and choose what is most suited for themselves. In the hilly state of Himachal Pradesh, vocational students have limited exposure to the opportunities the industry can offer, as most government schools are located in remote areas. Despite introducing numerous initiatives like internships, field visits, or apprenticeships, only a fraction of vocational students could benefit. At this juncture, SOW appeared to be a perfect platform for students to gain hands-on experience, creating mass awareness among community members. Sociocultural aspects sometimes constrain female students to theoretical knowledge only. SOW bridged the gap for such students, allowing them to work with tools in a secure environment.

Since learning about SOW during my initial orientation at LAHI, I knew it had to reach vocational students in Himachal. To progress as a society, stereotypes must be eliminated. Gender equity can be achieved when there is minimal discrimination. The SOW journey contributed to creating such an impactful insight. With significant participation from vocational students and their parents, we took a step towards a brighter future. It’s a journey that connected me to the core functionaries in the state, earning me the nickname ‘bhai,’ even to this day.