Celebrating Skills: A RoundtableMapping Needs and Approaches for Skill Development in Gujarat
Prof. M P Ranjan
Professor – DICRC Design Chair
DICRC, CEPT University, Ahmedabad
Rishav Jain
Researcher
DICRC, CEPT University, Ahmedabad
An Approach Paper
The building trade has gone through a huge transformation in our land since Independence and in a land that is blessed with an old tradition of fine architecture we now see signs of gross negligence where once care and attention to detail was paramount. This represents neglect of both skills and of culture as well. Ahmedabad is 600 years old and is now seeking the status of a world heritage city it is surrounded with many examples of imaginative built forms that date back to the early civilisation of the Indus valley with the existence of the Lothal excavations that is located just 70 km from the city. Gujarat too has a very old and continuous tradition of fine buildings and craftsmanship that was recognised by traders from distant lands and some of this stand as mute testimony of the skills and visions of its builders. Post-independence we saw a flush of modernism and many architectural examples of distinction were produced that set the agenda for India and for design, art and architectural education across India. However, it is evident that architectural vision must be matched with skills and knowledge of the master builder for us to see real results in all our creations.
The pressures of commerce and the arrival of new technologies as well as our intellectual centric education system has created an imbalance in our aspirations and abilities to make, build and deliver high quality creations for everyday use and in the public and private productions and living spaces. The gap between those who think and those who do is wider than ever before and this separation does not bode well for our society going forward.
The Roundtable brought together builders, architects, academics, government officials, professionals related to field of craft, architecture and design and master trainers from the local institutions to find approaches and strategies that could inform the next stages of our project of transforming skill training initiatives and institutions in the Gujarat. The idea was to explore the contours of Needs and Approaches that can contribute to the re-skilling of Gujarat.
This event raised issues concerning the youth and their aspirations and flag possibilities for encouraging them to be part of the new age of skills and creativity through a sharing of experience and concerns. Many issues were raised in a collaborative setting that could be processed into strategies, policies, curriculum and transformed institutions that would all together shape the future of the creative industries of the State that is built upon a well grounded and developed skill and knowledge base unique to the State of Gujarat.