GUWAHATI, Aug 10 - Alan Gemmell, Minister Cultural Affairs and Director British Council met Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in his office chamber and expressed his keenness to partner with the Government of Assam in the fields of education, tourism, culture, skill development and sports.
Gemmell told the Chief Minister that the British Council would focus on skill development of youths and on English language training to prepare them for different vocations. He pointed out that a plan is on the anvil to train up 12,000 teachers in English language training in the State.
Gemmell, who is on a whirlwind tour of the North East, said the British Council has a range of programmes that would help hone the skills of the youth of Assam, Meghalaya and other states of the region.
Sonowal, while welcoming the keenness of the British Council to extend help to Assam in different sectors, pointed out that Assam has enormous potential in the tourism sector as it is abundantly blessed by Nature. He pointed out that the government is fully committed to exploiting the potential of the youth of the State in a big way to bring about the desired changes in the State.
Sonowal asked Gemmell to come up with an action plan of programmes in which the Government of Assam could partner with the British Council. �UK and India have a long relationship and here in Assam we have a rich legacy with the Britishers as it was they who contributed towards the industrial development of the State by setting up Asia�s oldest refinery, in Digboi. The only thing that is required is to take forward the relationship to greater heights by forging ties in different sectors by setting up an agenda,� he said.
With the motto �Sports is a way of life�, Sonowal said games like cricket can be promoted in Assam with the help and expertise of UK through the British Council.
Sonowal also told Gemmell that his government would like to collaborate with the British Council in the dairy, agriculture, horticulture and floriculture sectors in which Assam has huge potential, said an official press release.
