Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday urged artisans to become entrepreneurs and leverage the benefits of government schemes like PM Vishwakarma.
Speaking at a function at Swavalambai Ground in Wardha, Maharashtra, on the anniversary of the PM Vishwakarma Yojana, the PM highlighted the importance of empowering artisans, especially those from the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), by providing them with the tools, training and resources needed to boost productivity and self-reliance.
Modi said that over 6.5 lakh beneficiaries of the PM Vishwakarma scheme had received modern machinery and toolkits to aid in their traditional occupations. The scheme has been pivotal in supporting artisans by improving their output and efficiency. Furthermore, the PM emphasised the significance of the loan scheme under PM Vishwakarma, which offers loans up to Rs 3 lakh. In the past year alone, loans totalling Rs 1,400 crore have been disbursed to beneficiaries, significantly enhancing the economic prospects of those involved in traditional crafts.
During the event, the Prime Minister also launched two initiatives by the Maharashtra government. One of these is the ‘Acharya Chanakya Skill Development Center’, which aims to provide free skill development training for youth across the state, ensuring they are equipped to meet the demands of modern industries. Additionally, the ‘Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Women Startup Scheme’ was introduced to support women-led startups in Maharashtra. This scheme is designed to help women entrepreneurs become financially independent by offering necessary resources and mentorship.
Addressing the National PM Vishwakarma programme in Wardha. The initiative has positively impacted countless artisans, preserving their skills and fostering economic growth.https://t.co/Bo9hW4K7YM— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 20, 2024
The Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Women Startup Scheme is the brainchild of Maharashtra’s Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Mangal Prabhat Lodha. His efforts have been instrumental in conceptualising this scheme, which aims to drive women’s participation in the startup ecosystem. Under Lodha’s leadership, the initiative seeks to break barriers faced by women in business, encouraging more women entrepreneurs to step into the competitive startup world.
Moreover, PM Modi laid the foundation stone for a PM MITRA (Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel) textile park in Amravati district, West Vidarbha. The textile park, spread across 1,000 hectares, is expected to generate 1 lakh jobs and attract investments of over Rs 10,000 crore. This project aims to bolster the textile industry in the region, creating opportunities for local artisans and industrialists alike.
The Prime Minister unveiled a commemorative stamp published by India Post. In a step towards digital empowerment, he also distributed digital ID cards and skill certificates to over 1 lakh beneficiaries and released digital loan sanction letters to 75,000 artisans. Eighteen beneficiaries received cheques for the Vishwakarma loan benefits directly from the PM.
The event also featured a walk-through exhibition showcasing artisans’ products and their craftsmanship, with the Prime Minister taking time to interact with artisans and learn more about their traditional occupations and challenges.
PM Modi’s appeal to artisans and the launch of these new schemes underscore the government’s commitment to empowering small-scale industries, boosting entrepreneurship, and supporting marginalised communities, particularly SC and ST artisans, to become self-reliant and successful in today’s competitive market.
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