News & Announcement
One-Day Awareness Programme on Branding and Marketing under PM Vishwakarma Scheme
Gangtok, August 18 (IPR):
A one-day awareness programme on branding and marketing under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, organised by the MSME-DFO, Gangtok, under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, was conducted today at the NHPC Seminar Hall, Lower Samdong.
The programme was graced by Zilla Adhyaksha, Gangtok, Mr Balaram Adhikari, as the Chief Guest, and Panchayat President, Ms Tila Rupa Pandey, as the Guest of Honour.
PM Vishwakarma Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme launched on September 17, 2023, with a financial outlay of ₹13,000 crore. The scheme provides end-to-end support to traditional artisans and craftspeople engaged in 18 family-based trades. Key benefits include collateral-free credit of up to ₹3 lakh, skill training with a daily stipend of ₹500, and a toolkit incentive of ₹15,000.
The 18 trades covered under the scheme are:
Wood and Metal Workers
* Carpenter (Suthar/Badhai)
* Boat Maker
* Armourer
* Blacksmith (Lohar)
* Hammer and Tool Kit Maker
* Locksmith
Clay, Stone and Precious Metal Artisans
* Goldsmith (Sonar)
* Potter (Kumhaar)
* Sculptor (Murtiakar/Stone Carver)
* Stone Breaker
Leather and Construction Workers
* Cobbler (Charmakar/Shoesmith/Footwear Artisan)
* Mason (Rajmistri)
Weaving, Craft and Decor Artisans
* Basket/Mat/Broom Maker and Coir Weaver
* Doll and Toy Maker (Traditional)
* Garland Maker (Malakaar)
Personal Service Trades
* Barber (Naee)
* Washerman (Dhobi)
* Tailor (Darzi)
* Fishing Net Maker
Addressing the gathering, Zilla Adhyaksha, Gangtok, Mr Balaram Adhikari, emphasised the importance of effective branding and marketing in enhancing the value and reach of products. He urged participants to make full use of the capacity-building opportunities provided by the Government to become self-reliant and secure sustainable livelihoods.
He stressed that dedication, persistence and patience are essential for success in entrepreneurship and encouraged participants to consider entrepreneurship as a career option for strengthening household incomes and contributing to the economic upliftment of society. He also urged aspiring entrepreneurs to leverage Sikkim’s organic identity and highlighted examples of entrepreneurs from the State who have successfully transitioned from job seekers to job creators. He further underscored the importance of converting sales pitches into actual sales through consistent efforts and effective customer engagement.
Panchayat President, Ms Tila Rupa Pandey, in her address, cited the example of a local woman entrepreneur from Patuk-Singbel GPU and encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs to draw inspiration from such pioneers. She urged participants to enrol in training programmes aimed at enhancing their skills and capabilities and to make use of such opportunities to become self-reliant and earn sustainable livelihoods.
General Manager, District Industries Centre, Mr Janak Chettri, stated that the programme was organised as part of the ‘Governance at the Doorstep’ initiative, with the objective of facilitating the onboarding of aspiring entrepreneurs under the scheme and guiding them towards self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods. He urged participants to make the most of the capacity-building opportunities available through various Government schemes. He also encouraged artisans to incorporate elements of local culture and attractions into their crafts to develop a distinctive identity and enhance the appeal of their products.
The inaugural session also featured an experience-sharing session by local artisan Ms Geeta Rai. Sharing her experience under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, she stated that she had received capacity-building training and opportunities to market her products in different cities across the country. She also shared her experiences of selling products in these markets and highlighted the importance of incorporating local culture into products, noting that such elements enhance their value by connecting them with the region’s heritage and legacy.
The welcome address was delivered by Assistant Director, MSME-DFO (Gangtok), Mr Nirmal Chowdhury, while the vote of thanks was proposed by Assistant Director, MSME-DFO (Gangtok), Mr Akshay Murkute.
The second half of the programme comprised technical sessions covering a range of topics relevant to PM Vishwakarma beneficiaries. These included a session on empowering PM Vishwakarma artisans through strategic branding, packaging and pricing, delivered by Assistant Professor, Sikkim University, Dr P.K. Das; a step-by-step guide to PM Vishwakarma loans by Senior Associate, State Bank of India, Rakdong-Tintek, Mr Tara Prasad Ghimirey; and a concluding session on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for design, marketing and growth in PM Vishwakarma trades by Associate Consultant, MSME, Mr Sukram Rai.
As part of the programme, two beneficiaries also received certificates for sanctioned loans amounting to ₹1 lakh each under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme from the Chief Guest.
The programme was attended by Panchayat Members, Convenor, State Level Banking Committee, Mr Gopal Lama, officials from the Commerce and Industries Department, and other stakeholders.
A one-day awareness programme on branding and marketing under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, organised by the MSME-DFO, Gangtok, under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, was conducted today at the NHPC Seminar Hall, Lower Samdong.
The programme was graced by Zilla Adhyaksha, Gangtok, Mr Balaram Adhikari, as the Chief Guest, and Panchayat President, Ms Tila Rupa Pandey, as the Guest of Honour.
PM Vishwakarma Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme launched on September 17, 2023, with a financial outlay of ₹13,000 crore. The scheme provides end-to-end support to traditional artisans and craftspeople engaged in 18 family-based trades. Key benefits include collateral-free credit of up to ₹3 lakh, skill training with a daily stipend of ₹500, and a toolkit incentive of ₹15,000.
The 18 trades covered under the scheme are:
Wood and Metal Workers
* Carpenter (Suthar/Badhai)
* Boat Maker
* Armourer
* Blacksmith (Lohar)
* Hammer and Tool Kit Maker
* Locksmith
Clay, Stone and Precious Metal Artisans
* Goldsmith (Sonar)
* Potter (Kumhaar)
* Sculptor (Murtiakar/Stone Carver)
* Stone Breaker
Leather and Construction Workers
* Cobbler (Charmakar/Shoesmith/Footwear Artisan)
* Mason (Rajmistri)
Weaving, Craft and Decor Artisans
* Basket/Mat/Broom Maker and Coir Weaver
* Doll and Toy Maker (Traditional)
* Garland Maker (Malakaar)
Personal Service Trades
* Barber (Naee)
* Washerman (Dhobi)
* Tailor (Darzi)
* Fishing Net Maker
Addressing the gathering, Zilla Adhyaksha, Gangtok, Mr Balaram Adhikari, emphasised the importance of effective branding and marketing in enhancing the value and reach of products. He urged participants to make full use of the capacity-building opportunities provided by the Government to become self-reliant and secure sustainable livelihoods.
He stressed that dedication, persistence and patience are essential for success in entrepreneurship and encouraged participants to consider entrepreneurship as a career option for strengthening household incomes and contributing to the economic upliftment of society. He also urged aspiring entrepreneurs to leverage Sikkim’s organic identity and highlighted examples of entrepreneurs from the State who have successfully transitioned from job seekers to job creators. He further underscored the importance of converting sales pitches into actual sales through consistent efforts and effective customer engagement.
Panchayat President, Ms Tila Rupa Pandey, in her address, cited the example of a local woman entrepreneur from Patuk-Singbel GPU and encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs to draw inspiration from such pioneers. She urged participants to enrol in training programmes aimed at enhancing their skills and capabilities and to make use of such opportunities to become self-reliant and earn sustainable livelihoods.
General Manager, District Industries Centre, Mr Janak Chettri, stated that the programme was organised as part of the ‘Governance at the Doorstep’ initiative, with the objective of facilitating the onboarding of aspiring entrepreneurs under the scheme and guiding them towards self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods. He urged participants to make the most of the capacity-building opportunities available through various Government schemes. He also encouraged artisans to incorporate elements of local culture and attractions into their crafts to develop a distinctive identity and enhance the appeal of their products.
The inaugural session also featured an experience-sharing session by local artisan Ms Geeta Rai. Sharing her experience under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, she stated that she had received capacity-building training and opportunities to market her products in different cities across the country. She also shared her experiences of selling products in these markets and highlighted the importance of incorporating local culture into products, noting that such elements enhance their value by connecting them with the region’s heritage and legacy.
The welcome address was delivered by Assistant Director, MSME-DFO (Gangtok), Mr Nirmal Chowdhury, while the vote of thanks was proposed by Assistant Director, MSME-DFO (Gangtok), Mr Akshay Murkute.
The second half of the programme comprised technical sessions covering a range of topics relevant to PM Vishwakarma beneficiaries. These included a session on empowering PM Vishwakarma artisans through strategic branding, packaging and pricing, delivered by Assistant Professor, Sikkim University, Dr P.K. Das; a step-by-step guide to PM Vishwakarma loans by Senior Associate, State Bank of India, Rakdong-Tintek, Mr Tara Prasad Ghimirey; and a concluding session on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for design, marketing and growth in PM Vishwakarma trades by Associate Consultant, MSME, Mr Sukram Rai.
As part of the programme, two beneficiaries also received certificates for sanctioned loans amounting to ₹1 lakh each under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme from the Chief Guest.
The programme was attended by Panchayat Members, Convenor, State Level Banking Committee, Mr Gopal Lama, officials from the Commerce and Industries Department, and other stakeholders.
