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For the unemployed Marathi manoos, a bit of training on ways and means to make a livelihood.

For this, chief of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, Raj Thackeray, is resurrecting Shiv Udyog Sena.

WORK IN PROGRESS: Raj Thackeray's MNS to train out-of-work locals in 18-44 age group to help set up self-employment ventures. FILE PIC

The Shiv Udyog Sena is an outfit to train Marathi youth for employment in various fields. Thackeray had, during his stint with the Shiv Sena, tried to run the venture but it was not successful.

The entrepreneurship programme will cater to unemployed Maharashtrians in the 18-44 age group. Participants will be trained in different job skills like making farsan, soap, phenyl among other articles of daily use.

Also on the cards are courses like travel and tours and event management.

The Shiv Udyog Sena is facilitating the government-run Entrepreneurship Development Programme.

"We do not charge participants for the course, instead we pay them a stipend of Rs 1,000 while they're undergoing the 30-day programme," said Shiv Udyog Sena's self-employment officer Vishwas Pandit. "All we ask to see is their ration card and that the person is in the age group."

The Shiv Udyog Sena will facilitate loans for the candidates and also help them organise their venture.

Asked why the outfit had not been active for the last few years, Pandit claimed, "Shiv Udyog Sena had never shut down; it was carrying on its activities all along."

Failed job?
Shiv Udyog Sena was formed in 1996 to provide employment to youth of the state. It held fund-raising initiatives, including the Michael Jackson concert, which ran into a controversy over losses incurred and for favours granted by the state to hold the event. A concert by Lata Mangeshkar was also held by the outfit.

MNS, Sena bhai-bhai?

A silent walkathon was organised yesterday to bring the Thackeray cousins -- Raj and Uddhav -- together "for the betterment of Marathi people". Senior Shiv Sainik from Worli, Satish Walunje, organised the walkathon from Raj's house in Dadar to Uddhav's residence in Bandra. "We just think that the cousins should unite and work together for the Marathi cause," said Walunje. The event received a cold response from Uddhav. "No one should make any effort to create confusion among Marathi people. For the last 45 years Shiv Sena has been fighting for the rights of Marathi manoos," said Uddhav.