India Skills Kerala 2020 Finale: Skills Meet Creativity at Expo

KOZHIKODE:
Delectable chocolates made from peanut, the model of an electric bridge designed to make road and water transport smoother, and various methods of waste disposal are among a fascinating range of products and devices that have been displayed at an exhibition being held on the sidelines of the state-level finale of India Skills Kerala 2020.

More than 60 stalls have been set up at the three-day expo, which is showcasing the skills and creative imagination of youth and adults alike. There are also stalls from government departments and agencies to create awareness on issues like waste disposal, education and ‘go green’ initiatives.

The event is being organised by the Industrial Training Department (ITD) and Kerala Academy for Skills Excellence (KASE), both under the State Labour and Skills Department.

Taking a cue from the functioning of hydraulic bridge, a team of six students from Government Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Elathur in Kozhikode district has displayed an electrical bridge at a stall. According to them, the bridge makes water and road transport smoother enabling ships to move under the bridge that rises on both sides when a ship arrives.

The model has been made by Draughtsman Civil students Akhil, Jithin, Dipin, Thejas, Akshay, and Adarsh.

Students from Government ITI, Kannur have a stall showcasing their products including LED bulbs, inverter bulbs that function for three hours after power failure, FM Radio with Bluetooth and car stereo. All the products that are for sale have one-year warranty and they were made by the students of Technician Power Electronics System trade at the ITI.

Kerala State Institute of Design also has set up a stall at the venue. Stressing the importance of embracing a green protocol, Suchitwa Mission of the Local Self Government Department has displayed various methods of waste disposal at home, institutions and public places.

Kerala State Bamboo Corporation has quaint products made out of bamboo at their stall in front of the venue. Kudumbasree Nadakkavu unit here has a stall where one can see wide varieties of chocolates priced between Rs 5 and Rs 160; with the peanut chocolate being the hot item. Five members of the unit are behind the chocolate products.

The stall of Kerala Fire and Rescue Services gives importance to disaster management by displaying various methods of rescue acts. The Department of Cultural Affairs, Kerala, has showcased beautiful artistic products under their Rural Art Hub Project.

The Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management (IIITM-K), which has played a major part by providing facilities for conducting skills competitions of the event, has a stall where one can get details about their courses such as Cyber Security, Machine Intelligence, Data Analytics, and Geospatial Analytics.

Other major stalls at the expo include Agency for Non-conventional Energy and Rural Technology (ANERT), Department of Factories and Boilers, and National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (Natpac).

The three-day event, which was inaugurated by Labour and Skills Minister T P Ramakrishnan at Swapna Nagari here on Saturday, features 253 participants, who will be proving their eminence in 39 disciplines.

The event has also at stake an opportunity for the competitors to participate in national competitions where the victors get a chance to represent the country at World Skills 2021 at Shanghai in China.