Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of signing an MoU between NSDC, NSDF and Assam Rifles here in the city, Pradhan said, “We have to scale up the skilling eco-system and take it to different parts of the country.” He said that there are some conventiol skills that need to be modernized and institutiolized. “We have to add new skills to the youngsters,” he said. However, he pointed out that scaling up the skills of the youth in the Northeast is crucial as the region has tremendous potential. The Minister said two characteristics of the Northeast that create a tural advantage for reliable employment are hard working ture of the people and their honesty. “These are the two basic assets and how can we convert them to a bigger asset through some skilling eco-system is the challenge. And this is the main priority of the Central government,” he pointed out. Referring to the review meeting of the North-eastern States held at Guwahati on Friday, Pradhan expressed confidence that every State of the region is performing well and the Government of India is there to lend its support. “Through this mechanism we are confident that we will create a good eco-system,” he remarked. Meanwhile, Director General of Assam Rifles Lt Gen Shokin Chauhan told reporters that the signing of the MoU was his idea to equip the troops with skills so that once they retire from service they get themselves “rehabilitated for a second career”. “I am happy that the Union Minister has come and promised of setting up some institutions here where we can train our soldiers, their families and children. Along with this, what is more important is that we will take this training to the people of the Northeast,” said Chauhan.