The five-month program will be offered free to residential candidates, in imitation of Don Bosco and Mother Teresa, said Fr. Thomas, the director of I-CARD. The Yuva Bandhu center was inaugurated by Rev. Theophil Ganlari, in the presence of other dignitaries, on 20th February. There are 20 students belonging to the Mising, Nepali and Bodo communities in the first batch.
The skills offered besides farming activities are: tailoring, beautician, embroidery, welding, carpentry, motor mechanics, electrical and plumbing. The instructors were trained by I-CARD over the past few years in Bangalore and in other parts of Northeast India. The center coordinated by Gayatri Panging has six other staff members.
The center hopes to raise its income from its own 18 bigha farm, and from the industrial products. Yuva Bandhu is heavily dependent on the goodwill of individuals to support this noble venture by donations in cash or kind.