Bhubaneswar: Around 13,500 youths were recruited during a job fair held at Phulbani in Kandhamal Sunday. Of the 13,500 youths, 3,500 were selected by companies operating in Odisha. The remaining job aspirants were chosen by firms operating across the country. More than 20,000 youths from Kandhamal participated in the fair. Youths from 12 blocks of Kandhamal, three each of Boudh and Nayagarh besides two of Ganjam district participated.
At least 40 companies from Odisha and over 80 firms and industrial houses from other states took part in the job fair. The salaries ranged from Rs 12,000 to Rs 35,000. The candidates covered a broad educational spectrum, from standard fifth to post-graduation, B Tech, MBA, and Law graduates. The job fair was jointly organised by Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) and the district administration.
Speaking on this occasion, Kandhamal MP Achyuta Samanta said that this is a small effort of Chief Ministr Naveen Patnaik’s goal towards empowering youth of the state through education and employment. Samanta also thanked KIIT staff and the district administration for their cooperation in successfully organising the job fair. On this occasion, Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce president Lalit Gandhi said that compared to other states, the youths of Odisha are more skilled and efficient. Among others, MLAs of Balliguda and Phulbani besides collector Asish Iswar Patil and SP Suvendu Patra were present.
ARINDAM GANGULY, OP