CHURACHANDPUR: The Community Development Society (CDS) held the 7th Batch Valedictory Ceremony of its Hospitality – Food and Beverage Training Programme on Thursday at the CDS Skill Centre, Synod House, Hill Town, Lamka, Churachandpur district, Manipur.
A total of 23 trainees successfully completed the programme out of the 26 who enrolled in the seventh batch, while three trainees could not complete the course due to personal reasons. During the ceremony, 24 offer letters were distributed to selected trainees, who are expected to join their respective workplaces shortly.
Krishna Kumar, IAS, deputy commissioner of Churachandpur, attended the programme as the chief guest and distributed certificates and offer letters to the trainees.
Addressing the graduating trainees, Kumar congratulated them on completing the course and encouraged them to remain committed to their future goals. He said the journey towards success was as important as reaching the destination, urging the trainees to set clear goals, work hard and take initiative rather than wait for opportunities.
He also appreciated CDS for its efforts to support young people and the local community, while expressing concern that many talented and educated youth in Churachandpur were unable to fully utilise their abilities.
Referring to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, Kumar encouraged the youth to take responsibility for contributing to the country’s development. He also acknowledged IndiGo CSR for supporting the training programme in the district and urged the media to give greater attention to positive developments and constructive work in society.
Lamcy Haokip, Centre Head, delivered the keynote address and presented a brief report on the training programme. She highlighted that most trainees who had completed the course had already secured employment, while placement interviews were continuing for those still seeking jobs.
Rev. Chinkhengoupau Buansing, Youth Coordinator of EBC, offered a prayer of thanksgiving and encouraged the trainees to prepare for the challenges of their professional lives. He cautioned them against assuming that employment would be easy after receiving their offer letters, reminding them that the realities of work could be different from expectations.
Buansing also encouraged the trainees to pursue their ambitions while remaining faithful to their beliefs, wherever they might be posted. He prayed for their future endeavours and the continued work of CDS and its training centre.
Lianzamung Tonsing, President of CDS, congratulated the trainees and urged them to be sincere, hardworking and responsible in their respective workplaces. For those moving to other cities for employment, he encouraged them to remain connected with their home communities through local organisations, welfare associations or fellowships.
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He also stressed the importance of perseverance and encouraged the trainees to remain God-fearing throughout their careers.
The programme was chaired by Ms. Hoihte, Trainer at the Vocational Training Centre for Youth (VTCY). Vunglawmkim S. Gangte, representing the seventh batch, also shared a message, while Samuel T. Khuplalson, Accountant of CDS, delivered the vote of thanks.
Established in 2025 with support from IndiGo CSR, the CDS Skill Centre, also known as the Vocational Training Centre for Youth, provides hospitality training and employment opportunities for young people.
Since its establishment, 191 trainees have completed the Food and Beverage training programme, with approximately 90 per cent securing employment, primarily at five-star hotels in metropolitan cities across India.
Through its free hospitality training programme, CDS aims to equip young people with practical skills, improve their employment prospects and enable them to support their families and contribute to the development of their communities.
