Minister of Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda launched the second phase of the Going Online As Leaders (GOAL) program. The programme is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Meta (FaceBook). GOAL 2.0 initiative aims to digitally upskill 10 lakh youth by on promoting entrepreneurship amongst tribal communities of the country and opening up opportunities for them using digital technology.
Speaking on the occasion, Munda said that the people that are being developed by GOAL programme are giving leadership to their communities and this programme is becoming a silent revolution. The Union Minister added that the resources held by our communities can now be harnessed with modern tools to empower the tribal communities.
The Union Minister also said that connecting and skilling, developing potential and making a change in the lives of their communities – these are the basic goals of this programme. These are ambitious targets and would aim to reach and empower 10 lakh people directly and many more people through them, he added.
On the occasion Anil Kumar Jha, Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs; S.N. Tripathi, DG, IIPA; Dr. Navalljit Kapoor, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs; Youth and entrepreneurs from tribal communities from across the country were also present.
The programme is aimed at empowering youth and women from tribal and indigenous communities to harness the full potential of digital platforms and enhancing their leadership skills for driving community development. Along with digital inclusion the program aims to actively contribute to the economy by continuing to support the most vulnerable communities in tribal districts with a focus on tribal youth and on businesses led by tribal women in rural areas.