Maharashtra’s ‘MAHIMA’ Initiative to Open International Employment Opportunities for Youth
Mumbai, October 2026: Given the growing global demand for skilled manpower, connecting the skills of Maharashtra’s youth with international opportunities has become essential. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the Global Skills Mobility Association of India (GSMAI) would help integrate skill training, international employment opportunities, foreign language proficiency and global competencies.
The Global Skills Mobility Association of India (GSMAI) was formally established on October 12 at ITC Maurya in New Delhi to strengthen India’s role in global workforce mobility. The association brings together 17 founding organisations, government representatives, diplomatic missions, state governments and industry leaders.
Those present at the event included Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri; Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour, Textiles and Skill Development Shashank Mani; Denmark’s Ambassador to India, Rasmus Abildgaard Kristensen; Germany’s Deputy Ambassador, Georg Enzweiler; Deputy Head of Mission at the Italian Embassy, Aurora Russi; Odisha Government Secretary Bhupendra Singh Poonia; TeamLease Digital Chief Executive Officer Neeti Sharma; Quess Corp Group Chief Executive Officer Lohit Bhatia; BorderPlus Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Mayank Kumar; GSMAI Founding President Ajay Khanna; Magic Billion Co-founder Basab Banerjee; representatives of the Gatih Foundation; Maharashtra Government Additional Chief Secretary Manisha Verma; and diplomatic representatives from various countries.
Against this backdrop, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said Maharashtra’s youth should gain access to excellent overseas employment opportunities on the strength of their skills. Young men and women, including those from the state’s most remote areas, should have the confidence to build careers in any country across the world.
He stressed the need to provide them with the necessary skills, financial assistance and institutional support. The Maharashtra government is committed to ensuring that global employment opportunities reach ordinary young people across the state rather than remaining accessible only to a select few.
Inaugural Session Discusses ‘Local Skills, Global Ambitions’
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri unveiled the GSMAI logo and website. He said global skills mobility should not be viewed merely as the migration of workers, but as a significant opportunity for young people to gain experience, acquire new skills and contribute to India’s development.
GSMAI Founding President Ajay Khanna highlighted the importance of collective industry efforts to create reliable pathways to global employment.
“GSMAI gives us an opportunity to prioritise credibility over convenience and institution-building over temporary compromises,” he said.
Local Talent, Global Ambitions: Preparing Indian Talent Through Skill Development
A panel discussion on this theme featured Odisha Government Commissioner-cum-Secretary Bhupendra Singh Poonia, TeamLease Digital CEO Neeti Sharma and Quess Corp Group CEO Lohit Bhatia. BorderPlus Co-founder and CEO Mayank Kumar moderated the discussion, while Magic Billion Co-founder Basab Banerjee delivered the concluding remarks.
The panellists highlighted the importance of skill development, industry-oriented training, language proficiency, cultural understanding and post-placement support in preparing Indian youth for employment opportunities worldwide.
GSMAI to Bridge the Gap Between Skill Development and International Employment in Maharashtra
— Skill Development Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha
Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Minister for Skill Development, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, said the initiative would be an important step towards creating sustainable pathways for young people in Maharashtra to access global employment opportunities.
He said the Department of Skill Development, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation was working under the guidance of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar.
Maharashtra has consistently taken the lead in industry, skill development and entrepreneurship. Collaboration with GSMAI would further strengthen the connection between the state’s skill development ecosystem and the international employment sector.
The primary objective is to train young people in line with global requirements and create international opportunities that match their abilities and qualifications.
Lodha expressed confidence that Maharashtra’s youth would not only benefit from global employment opportunities but also contribute to the country’s economic progress through their knowledge, experience and skills.
‘MAHIMA’ to Facilitate Overseas Employment Opportunities: Additional Chief Secretary Manisha Verma
Manisha Verma, Additional Chief Secretary of the Department of Skill Development, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, attended the event.
She said the state government was working to convert global workforce demand into employment opportunities for young people. District-level youth are being guided by identifying the specific occupational requirements of different countries. Efforts are also being made to coordinate industry partners, employer networks, recruitment capabilities and training infrastructure.
To translate this vision into action, the Maharashtra government has established a dedicated Section 8 company called MAHIMA (Maharashtra Comprehensive International Mobility and Ability Agency). Its primary objective is to facilitate overseas employment opportunities and promote global skills mobility.
Verma also noted that Maharashtra’s skill development ecosystem comprises more than 1,000 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and over 1,800 technical education institutions. These institutions are playing an important role in developing a globally competitive workforce.
