CM Nayab Singh Saini inaugurates Regional Skill Development Centre at Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology, Murthal

Chandigarh, August 13: Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini on Thursday inaugurated the Regional Skill Development Centre at Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology, Murthal, in Sonipat. On the occasion, he said that this centre is laying the foundation for the skills, confidence and bright future of the youth of the state. By learning at this skill laboratory, the youth will be able to directly connect with industries, giving their dreams the strength of employment, entrepreneurship and nation-building.

On the occasion, Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini presented Excellence Awards to meritorious scholars and teachers of the university. He also personally visited the Skill Development Centre laboratory, interacted with students and congratulated them.

He said that the university has been named after the great farmer leader Deenbandhu Sir Chhotu Ram, who dreamt of ensuring respect for those who work hard in India. Today, this centre is a modern extension of the vision of Sir Chhotu Ram. Today, the skills of our youth are shaping the direction of Viksit Bharat and Viksit Haryana. The convergence of Sir Chhotu Ram’s agricultural vision with modern technology will provide new inspiration to the entire state from Murthal. He appreciated the joint venture of VE Commercial Vehicles Limited–Volvo Group and Eicher Motors and said that their initiative represents a bridge of trust between industry and academia.

*CM calls upon youth to take three pledges*

Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini called upon students to take three pledges. The first pledge, he said, should be to keep learning throughout life, because technology keeps changing and continuous learning is what keeps us relevant. The second pledge should be to build character along with skills, because knowledge provides power, but integrity gives that power the right direction. The third pledge should be to give back a part of what they learn to society, because the highest form of success is service. He said, “Remember, a degree may give you your first opportunity, but discipline, hard work and sensitivity are what will take you far.” He said that Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi has placed before the nation the resolve of building a Viksit Bharat by 2047. The real outcome of the foundation being laid today and the efforts being made today will become visible before us in the future.

*Haryana’s youth should be protagonists, not spectators, of technological change*

Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the Volvo-Eicher Laboratory established at the university has connected teachers and students with modern commercial vehicle technology. The success of this centre will be measured by the trained youth it produces, patents, startups, safer vehicles and improved services. He said that the automobile sector is undergoing major transformation today. Therefore, skills cannot remain static. “The person who was a mechanic yesterday is a mechatronics technician today. The person who used to diagnose faults by making an estimate is now diagnosing them by reading data. I want the youth of Haryana to be not spectators but protagonists of this transformation. This is the resolve of our government,” he said.

*Continuous work being undertaken on skill development to empower youth*

Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the Haryana Government is continuously working on skill development to hone the skills of the youth. The Haryana Skill Development Mission has been constituted, while Shri Vishwakarma Skill University has been established at Dudhola in Palwal district. He said that the National Institute of Fashion Technology has been established in Panchkula, NIELIT in Kurukshetra, IIM in Rohtak, NID in Umri and an extension centre of IIT Delhi in Sonipat. So far, 1.56 lakh youth have been provided skill training in accordance with industry requirements, while 60 ITIs in the state are being upgraded at a cost of around ₹3,000 crore.

He said that during 2025–26, on-the-job training on modern machinery was provided at 106 Government Industrial Training Institutes in collaboration with 295 industrial establishments. He further stated that under the ‘New Startup Policy’, more than 10,000 startups have been established by youth in the state.

*With the strength of skills, youth should become job creators rather than job seekers*

Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that Haryana’s identity is associated with farmers, soldiers, sportspersons and, now, rapidly advancing technical skills. “We need an education system through which our youth can learn world-class technology. Our daughters should be able to lead in automobile design, electronics, data and diagnostics. ITIs, polytechnics, universities and industries should remain connected with one another, and on the strength of their skills, our youth should become not merely job seekers but job creators,” he said.

He said that this is the journey from ‘Vocal for Local’ to ‘Local for Global’. It is also the journey from Atmanirbhar Haryana to Atmanirbhar Bharat and from Atmanirbhar Bharat to Viksit Bharat.

*Major achievement for the university: Education Minister Mahipal Dhanda*

Haryana Education Minister Sh. Mahipal Dhanda said that the inauguration of the RSDC Lab is a significant achievement for the university. This lab is not merely a centre for modern technical training but also a symbol of strong coordination between industry and academia. He said that the automobile sector is changing rapidly, and new technologies such as electric vehicles, connected vehicles, artificial intelligence, green mobility and sustainable transport are shaping the future.

In such a scenario, it is essential not to limit students to degrees alone but to equip them with skills according to industry requirements. He said that through the RSDC Lab, students will receive practical training on real systems, engines and modern technologies of Volvo and Eicher. Along with training, students will also receive globally recognised skill certification, which will provide them with better employment opportunities not only in India but also abroad.

On the occasion, Sonipat MLA Sh. Nikhil Madaan, Chairman Sh. Mohan Lal Badoli, Vice-Chancellor of Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology, Murthal, Prof. Prakash Singh, senior officials of VE Commercial Vehicles Limited and Volvo Group, and officials of the district administration were present.