High Commission of India

Dhaka

**

Friends, Our Media partners, Other friends from the Media, Participants of the training program,

Shuvo Sakal

• I am delighted today to inaugurate the ‘All About Soft Skills’ Training series which we are organizing with ICT Ministry, Govt. of Bangladesh, Women & E-commerce and SilkOak Global Ltd.

• I understand that our friend and strong supporter, Hon. State Minister for ICT could not attend today due to an unavoidable engagement, but I am looking forward to listening to his video message for the Opening ceremony.

• This soft skill training program which is a part of 75 years of Indian independence (Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav) celebrations and 50 years of Bangladesh celebrations is important and unique for a few reasons. ‘Freedom’ is linked to ‘Freedom of Opportunity’, especially for women.

 (i) The Soft Skills training program targets women entrepreneurs across Bangladesh. I understand that over 700 enterprising women are expected to avail the training.

 (ii) The program is designed to be executed in a hybrid manner with physical workshops and virtual training sessions.

 (iii) and I am certain that the entrepreneurs participating in the year-long program will benefit immensely from it by gaining knowledge. Knowledge in turn leads to skills, wisdom and the freedom to pursue opportunities.

• Bangladesh has seen admirable economic growth of 7%+ in the last decade and although Covid19 has affected it to some extent, the growth rates are still impressive (over 5%) . Bangladesh owes much of its success to the hard work put in by its women – Be it the RMG workers or women entrepreneurs, Bangladeshi women have been leading the way. This comes as no surprise. The contribution of Bangladeshi women to the Liberation War of Bangladesh can never be forgotten. As they say, women hold up more than half of humanity. It is this legacy of the participation in Liberation War that the young women of today are carrying on their shoulders.

• India, much like Bangladesh is a young country whose development is also aided by the dynamism and energy of its youth and its women. India’s path to development is paved by young leaders and new entrepreneurs. As neighbours and as partners in development, we have much to learn from each other. The areas for cooperation are also many. It is in this background that we are excited to partner with WE, SilkOak and ICT Ministry to organize the Soft Skill Training program series for women.

• It is an exhaustive program which will cover various aspects of communication – inter-personal communication, presentation skills, writing skills and much more. I commend Women & E-commerce and SilkOak Global Ltd for taking on the challenge of developing a hybrid program that can be conducted even during the pandemic.

• I am certain that the year-long course will hone the skills of the over 700 enterprising young women participating in it and will help them develop their businesses further.

• We, at the High Commission of India are proud and delighted to support this program that will further the cause of women empowerment and puts women at the center of Bangladesh’s growth story.

• Today, I would also like to announce that we would be donating books and e-readers to the new library that Women & E-commerce is setting up – the Ishwara Chandra Vidyasagar Library. Vidyasagar had dedicated his life for the upliftment of women. I hope that our contribution would support the work being done by WE – its network and the women-led businesses that it supports.

• I would like to thank our partner, ICT Ministry and Hon. Minister Palak who has been supportive of the ‘All About Soft Skills’ training series from the beginning. I also would like to thank our media partners – Daily Ittefaq and DBC News for joining this venture.

• I wish Women & E-commerce and SilkOak the best as they begin the program and wish all the participants well. Thank you.