MUKTI

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND

TRAINING

FOR
Sunderban Deltas
West Bengal, India

MARCH, 2008
MUKTI CONFIDENTIAL & PROPRIETARY

Statement of the problem

Vocational education (or Vocational Education and Training (VET) prepares learners for careers that
are based in manual or practical activities, traditionally non-academic and totally related to a specific
trade, occupation or vocation, hence the term, in which the learner participates. It is sometimes referred
to as technical education, as the learner directly develops expertise in a particular group of techniques
or technology.
Mukti believes that economic conditions of the people lead to many more problems. Mukti is striving
to bring about an economic development by helping in vocational training. Vocational training is an
integral part of the work carried out by many of Muktis project partners, primarily ASHA. This is
particularly relevant in the context of women and primary earner of the family to enable them to stand
on their own feet. Vocational training programs usually can cover a broad range of subjects from
computer training, sewing, tailoring, agriculture (growing of certain plants), electrical, automobile
repair and maintenance work, carpentry, boat building, ophthalmic assistants etc.
Economic hardship of inhabitants in Sunderban is the key problem they are facing in the region. Mukti
has already made a brief survey of the livelihood and occupation of the people in the Deltas. It has
been found that the lands used for cultivation are mostly single-crop and depend primarily on rainwater
for irrigation. Most of the people living in and around the delta do not have a job round the year, which
is of course main reason behind poverty. Being surrounded by saline water, deltas are rendered unfit
for cultivation. Moreover, owing to communication hurdles with the main land, villagers find it hard to
sell their goods in the market. Moreover, owing to communication hurdles with the main land,
villagers find it hard to sell their goods in the market. Sunderban is thus at present a place where
unfortunately industries are a rare opportunity.
This project is based on the belief that people can get maximum out of anything if he applies his own
expertise and knowledge. With hardships faced due to salinity in soil, problems due to agriculture,
communication hardships etc, learning of vocational trainings and its usage will help in improving the
life-style of the people in this rural area. Mukti is mainly working on providing the tool to the people
of this area in order to achieve the self earning capabilities which will improve their standard of living
by making them less reliable to outside worlds help.

Project Details
Modular Employable Skills (MES) under Skill Development Initiative Scheme (SDIS) - Government
of India Initiative
The skill level and educational attainment of the workforce determines the productivity as well as the
ability to adapt to the changing industrial environment. A majority of Indian workforce does not
possess marketable skills which is an impediment in getting decent employment and improving their
economic condition. While India has large young population, only 5% of the Indian labor force in the
age group of 20-24 years has obtained vocational skills through formal means whereas the percentage
in industrialized countries varies between 60% and 96%. About 63% of the school students drop out at
different stages before reaching Class-X. Only about 2.5 million vocational training seats are available
in the country whereas about 12.8 million persons enter the labor market every year. Even out of these
training places, very few are available for early school dropouts. This signifies that a large number of
school drop outs do not have access to skill development for improving their employability. The
educational entry requirements and long duration of courses of the formal training system are some of
the impediments for a person of low educational attainment to acquire skills for his livelihood. Further,
the largest share of new jobs in India is likely to come from the unorganized sector that employs up to
93% of the national workforce, but most of the training programs cater to the needs of the organized
sector.
Honorable Minister of Finance during the budget speech 2005-06 made the following announcement:
To meet the demand for specific skills of a high order, a Public Private Partnership between
Government and Industry is proposed to promote skills development program under the name Skill
Development Initiative.
Accordingly, Ministry of Labour & Employment undertook development of a new strategic framework
for skill development for early school leavers and existing workers, especially in the un-organised
sector in close consultation with industry, micro enterprises in the un-organised sector, State
Governments, experts and academia which were essential considering their educational, social and
economic background. The main objective of the scheme is to provide employable skills to school
leavers, existing workers, ITI graduates, etc. Existing skills of the persons can also be tested and
certified under this scheme. Priority will be given to covering those above the age of 14 years who
have been or withdrawn as child labour to enable them to learn employable skills in order to get
gainful employment. it is hoped that this website will help in dissemination of the information about
the scheme and bring transparency. It will also helpful in getting valuable feedback from stakeholders
and public at large.

Project Type with its Expenditures

The goal of the projects was to provide vocational training services to the needy rural villagers to earn
higher wages and be self sufficient. The projects seek to support the social and economic

independence of people with livelihood hardships through vocational training that increases
their incomes. Vocational training sessions in simple computer applications and usage, for
example, will pave their ways for economic sustenance for young generations of the village of
Raidighi and its neighborhoods and will make them connected to the rest of the digital world.
The project will primarily focus on the modules approved by MES (Modular Employment Skills) and
NCVT scheme by Government of India is mentioned below:

Automobile
Electrical
Electronics
Garment Making
Hospitality
Information Technology & communication
Printing
Retail

Table 1: The sector, course, educational qualification and teaching duration provided by Government
of India sponsorship are as follows:

Automobile

Name of Course
Basic Automotive Servicing (4 Wheelers)
Basic Automotive Servicing (2-3 wheelers)
Repair & Overhauling of 2 wheelers( moped)
Repair & overhauling of 2 wheelers (scooter)
Repair & overhauling of 2 wheelers (motor cycle)
Repair & overhauling of 3 wheelers
Repair & overhauling of engine systems (petrol/diesel)
Repair & overhauling of Chassis system (Light Vehicle)
Repair & overhauling of Chassis system (Heavy Vehicle)
Repairing of Auto Air Conditioning System
Wheel Alignment & Balancing
Minor Repair of Auto Body
Auto Body Painting
Diesel Fuel injection Technician
Repair & overhauling of Auto electrical & Electronic system

Educational
Qualification

5th

8th

Duration
(hours)
180
180
210
240
270
270
320
320
320
240
120
210
180
180
320

Electrical:
Basic Electrical Training
Repair of Home Appliance
House Wiring
Electronic Choke & CFL Assembling
Transformer Winding
Armature Winding
Rewinding of AC/DC Motors
Repair of Electrical Power Tools
Maintenance of Batteries

8th

120
120
120
120
120
120
120
120
60

Electronics
Basic Electronics (Repair & Maintenance of Power supply, inverters
and UPS
Installation & Maintenance of DTH System
Digital Videography Editing and Mixing
Repair & Maintenance of washing machine and microwave oven
Repair & Maintenance of TV Receiver
Maintenance & Repair of Electronic Test Equipment
Repair & Maintenance of Cellular Phone
Repair & Maintenance of Intercom System
Installation & Maintenance of Electronic Equipments in Cell Phone
towers
Repair & Maintenance PA & Audio Systems
Repair & Maintenance Photocopier and Fax Machine
Operation of clinical Equipment
Operation of ECG & ICCU Instruments
Maintenance of ECG & ICCU Equipment
Operation of X-Ray Machine & Dark room Assistance
Maintenance of X-Ray Machine
Operation of Physio Theraphy Equipment
Maintenance of Physio Theraphy Equipment

120
60
150
60
180
240
210
150

240
120
120
180
120
120
120
240
120
120

5th

8th
10th
8th

10th
8th

10th

210
210
120
120
270
300
210
270
210
210
270
210
420
210
300

Garment Making
Hand Embroider
Machine Embroidery Operator
Garment packer
Garment Ironer
Tailor (Basic Sewing Operator)
Maintenance of Machines in Garment Sectors
Computerized Embroidery Machine Operator
Garment Cutter
Garment Checkers
Skilled Sewing Operators
Special Sewing Machine Operator
Tailor Children
Tailor Ladies
Tailor Gents
Tailor Suits

Information and Communication Technology

Computer Fundamentals, MS-Office & Internet
Tally
Desk Top Publishing
Telecom Sales
Computer Hardware
Computer Networking
Domestic BPO
Internet Kiosk Operators
Web Designing

10th

8th
10th

120
180
180
180
180
180
180
60
180

8th

10th

120
120
150
150
150
150
150
150
120
120

10th

180
120

8th
8th
8th

180
150
150

Printing
Basic for Printing Sector (Except Book Binding)
Basic Book Binding
Screening printing
Book Binder
Offset Machine Operator Sheet Fed (Single & Multi Colour))
Offset Machine Operator ( Web Perfector)
Offset Plate maker
DTPO
Advanced/ Supervisory ( Except Book Binding)
Advanced/ Supervisory (Book Binding)

Retail
Sales Person ( Retail)
Senior Sales Person ( Retail)
Hospitality

Hospitality Assistant
Household Assistant (General )
Household Assistant (Kitchen and Service)

Table 2: The budgets along with their respective forecasted expenditures for the above
mentioned modules are as follows:

Module

Expenditures

Amount/ item
(INR)

Total Amount
(INR)

Construction Cost (625 SFT)1.5 room

20 Toolkits
1 used 4 wheeler
1 used Motor Cycle
1 used scooter
1 used moped
20 Chairs
1 Table and Chair
20 Aprons
1 White Board

625000

625000

5000
50000
35000
20000
10000
500
7500
300
5000

100000
50000
35000
20000
10000
10000
7500
6000
5000

Automobile

SUB-TOTAL

868500

Electrical
Construction Cost (625 SFT)1.5 room
20 Stools
2 Working Tables
20 Chairs
1 table and chair
1 toolkit power
1 White Board

625000

625000

1000
5000
500
7500
5000
5000

20000
10000
10000
7500
5000
5000

SUB-TOTAL

682500

Electronics
Construction Cost (625 SFT)1.5 room
2 Working Tables
Some used clinical equipments
20 Chairs
1 Table and Chair
1 used PA and audio system
I used camcorder
1 used washing machine/ oven
1 White Board
1 used cellular phone
1 used projector

625000

625000

10000
10000
500
7500
6000
5000
5000
5000
2000
2000

20000
10000
10000
7500
6000
5000
5000
5000
2000
2000

SUB-TOTAL

697500

Garment Making
Construction Cost (625 SFT)1.5 room
10 Sewing Machines
2 Working Tables

625000

625000

4500
10000

45000
20000

20 Chairs
1 Table and Chair
1 White Board
1 used Iron

500
7500
5000
4000

SUB-TOTAL

10000
7500
5000
4000

716500

Hospitality
Construction Cost (625 SFT)1.5 room
2 Working Tables
10 Chairs
1 White Board

625000

625000

10000
500
5000

20000
5000
5000

SUB-TOTAL

655000

IT &
Communication
Construction Cost (625 SFT)1.5 room
10 used computers
2 Working Tables
10 Chairs
1 White Board

625000

625000

10000
10000
500
5000

100000
20000
5000
5000

SUB-TOTAL

755000

Printing
Construction Cost (625 SFT)1.5 room
2 Working Tables
10 Chairs
1 White Board

625000

625000

10000
500
5000

20000
5000
5000

SUB-TOTAL

655000

Retail
Construction Cost (625 SFT)1.5 room
2 Working Tables
10 Chairs
1 White Board

625000

625000

10000
500
5000

20000
5000
5000

SUB-TOTAL
General (Additional)

TOTAL COST = INR 5,685,000

655000

Project Location:
Village & PO :
PS
:
District
:
State
:
Country
:
Phone
:
Mukti Website :

Purbasridharpur
Raidighi
24 Parganas (South)
West Bengal
India
+919932176287
http://www.multiweb.com/

Available Resources
Motivation, dedication and commitment are some of the key resources easily available both within Mukti
volunteers and well as local villagers.
Also, this project aligns itself perfectly with most of the active projects that Mukti is striving for the
success of people in this impoverished region. For example, village primary schools and other forms of
literary activities will enable the members of the society to believe in themselves and have faith in their
better future, be it for themselves or for their children. The micro credit project along with the formation
of Self Help Groups (SHG) will nurture them as independent small entrepreneurs and teach them the
concept of saving money for future success of family. The vocational training in simple but equally
valuable jobs conducted in this project, though non-academic, nurtures them to become experts in their
learned fields and use this capability to probably establish small cottage industry in their own backyard
down the future; not only making them believe in themselves but also making them independent of their
hardships and relying on outside world.

Needed Resources
Almost all of the needed supplies and equipment not including the personnel power have been listed in
the table mentioned above.
The main needed resources and help would be preferred via two primary modes.
Government of India along with its grand schemes and help mentioned in the above tables is the
leading hand and sponsor for most of the project apart from other sponsors and volunteers (details
mentioned below)
Foreseeable sponsors and donors for the initial setup, construction and expenditures.

Vocational Training Providers

The training under SDI scheme will be provided by various VTPs under Central Government, State
Governments, Public and Private Sector and Industrial establishments. VTPs will provide counseling &
vocational guidance, training facilities as per norms, impart good quality training, post training support to
trainees in getting employment, maintain data base on trainees trained and the outcome of the training.
They will track the trainees for three years or till they get gainfully employed. VTP will also be required
to have close networking with the industry for immediate placement of the trainees. They will also
maintain accounts, ensure proper utilization of funds and submit reports and utilization certificates as per
prescribed schedule. They will follow various instructions issued by the committees or any other
authority from time to time. All VTPs should have necessary powers to collect the training fee from
trainees. They should utilize fee collected and funds received from DGET for meeting various expenses
for imparting training and providing post training support services. They should also have powers to
reimburse training fee to successful trainees out of funds received from DGET. All VTPs must have a
broad band internet connection.

Training Fee and its reimbursement

Following training fee which includes cost of material, honorarium, etc. has been prescribed:

I.

Rs.500 per module for modules having duration up to 90 hrs.

II.

Rs.1000 per module for modules having duration from 91 to 180 hrs.

III.

Rs.1500 per module for modules having duration from 181 hrs to 270 hrs.

IV.

Rs.2000 per module for modules having duration more than 270 hrs.

Also, Training cost @ Rs. 15/- per person per hour will be reimbursed to VTPs in respect of those
successful persons who got training from the VTPs approved by DGE&T.

APPENDIX A: ORGANIZATION MUKTI

A. FOMATION OF MUKTI
Mukti is a charitable, non-profitable and socio-economic development trust
established in 2003 by Sankar Halder. He belongs to the Sunderbans area of West
Bengal in India. While growing up in an underprivileged family there, he experienced
the infrastructural and economic hardships of life in that area and decided to involve
educated and the energetic local youths in various community development projects
to address some of these problems. This vision led to the foundation of Mukti.

B. LEGAL STATUS
Mukti is registered under the Government of India Trust Act Section 64. It has an
executive board that frames the policies and passes down action items to the ground
level working committee. There are several different wings of the ground level
working committee and every wing has several general members who implement the
policies and work items of the board. A general body meeting is held every year. The
executive board is elected for a two years after which it is dissolved and elected anew
by and from the members.

C. VISION
The Sunderbans is beset with problems of poverty, illiteracy, and unequal distribution
of wealth, exploitation and all the associated ills of the society. This is a result of lack
of awareness, illiteracy, poor planning and the wanton greed of human being. Our
vision is to ameliorate the conditions of the underprivileged local population of the
Sunderbans by empowering them. Our vision is to create an environment where any
and every individual in the society can look forward to a promising future.

D. MISSION
Muktis mission is to implement programs for the uplift of the underprivileged,
illiterate, poor and backward people of the Sunderbans region by way of motivation
and human resource development. This mission aims at creating a self-reliant society
through efficient and environmentally conscious use of local resources.

E. MEMBERS
Muktis members are spread all over and outside of India (including the USA) with an
especially, strong presence in the Sunderbans area. More than 200 members of Mukti
are from the Sunderbans themselves and are working for the development of the area.
Muktis working members are divided into four wings: Health, Education, Economic,
Ecology and Cultural. All individuals motivated to making a difference and possessing a
broad vision to work for the underprivileged are welcome to join the group.

PROJECTS OF MUKTI
A list of Mukti projects are listed below:
Current Projects:
Village Sanitation
For preventive health care Mukti has decided to build 3000 low-cost latrine for
the poorest. The project has been divided into three phases. In the first phase
Mukti has built sanitary for 350 villagers by April 2005. Second phase for 1500
sanitation are about to be built. Phase-II, currently in progress also aims at
preventing water contamination which in turn would prevent many diseases.

Talented Students Sponsorship (TSS)

This is on of the many good projects supported by MUKTI for the betterment of
our society. Lack of education is one of the major causes of economic
backwardness and helplessness of the people in Sunderbans, similar to the
poorest regions of the world. Towards a goal of eradicating illiteracy in the
region, and to encourage young talented children not only to complete school
with good grades but also to go for graduate studies, MUKTI has been
facilitating sponsorship of talented students.

Book Bank for underprivileged students

Considering literacy rate in the poor village and financial condition of villagers
Mukti has decided to set up a Book Bank for 2500 students to provide school
text books to the really needy ones.

Flood Relief
Mukti is helping people of this area during flood with their support and
volunteers.

Special Coaching for underprivileged students

Underprivileged students of this area often need an extra care in order to set
their career goal. Mukti arranges several coaching and one-to-one counseling
for the students of this area. This helped them to achieve a better career goal.

Mobile Boat Health care

The mission of the Mobile Boat health care is to improve access for underserved
population living in the geographically challenged areas in the inaccessible
islands of Sunderbans delta to comprehensive services necessary to achieve
better health care. This mission is based on the belief that every person,
regardless of his/her financial means, deserves high-quality, comprehensive,
continuous health care, delivered in a respectful, caring and family centered
environment-a "medical home on a boat." Our mobile boat dispensary achieves
this mission by delivering primary medical care to the population, directly in
their neighborhoods at no direct cost to their caregivers.

In the pipeline:
Coconut plantation for livelihood
Village computer literacy
Student Cum General Health care cum tele-medicine.

APPENDIX B: AN OVERVIEW OF SUNDERBAN

Sundarbans, formerly SUNDERBUNDS, vast tract of forest and saltwater swamp forming
the lower part of the Ganges Delta, extending about 160 miles (260 km) along the Bay
of Bengal from the Hooghly River Estuary (India) to the Meghna River Estuary in
Bangladesh.
The Sundarbans are a part of the world's largest delta formed by the rivers Ganges,
Brahmaputra and Meghna. The whole tract reaches inland for 60-80 miles (100-130
km).
A network of estuaries, tidal rivers, and creeks intersected by numerous channels, it
encloses flat, marshy islands covered with dense forests.

Deep Forest, clever Tiger and lonely River is the main feature of the Sunderban

The name Sundarbans is perhaps derived from the term meaning "forest of Sundari, a
reference to the large mangrove tree that provides valuable fuel. Along the coast the
forest passes into a mangrove swamp; the southern region, with numerous wild
animals and Crocodile- infested estuaries, is virtually uninhabited. It is one of the last
preserves of the Bengal tiger and the site of a tiger preservation project.
Just south of Kolkata, Sunderban is one of the most unique ecosystems in this part of
the world. It is dominated by mangrove forests and gets its name from the Sundari
(Heritiera foams) trees. Situated at the mouths of the Ganges, Sunderban spreads over
54 islands only in India's West Bengal and is part of the world's largest delta in this
region.
Sunderban covers an area of 4262 sq. kms in India. The Sunderban Tiger Project was
started in 1974 and has an area of 2585 sq. kms. The core area is 1330 sq. kms and is a
national forest and UNESCO world heritage site. Sunderban is home to the largest
number of wild tigers in the world.
Life is difficult in Sunderbans. The communication and transport are inadequate in this
hostile geographical and topographical location and dependent on tidal waves and
journey is painfully slow.

Delta-forest is the home of the Royal Bengal Tiger. The Ganges, which is rightly known
as the Ganga, carries silt and fertility from its ice-melt sources in the high Himalayas,
through the lush plains of India, past the riverside port of Kolkata. Here, however, it is
no longer the Ganga because it has become one of the major distributors. For, in the
flat Grey-clay lands of Bengal, the great river splits into numerous channels, dividing
and sub-dividing like the roots of a tree, till it pours through many mouths into the Bay
of Bengal.