News & Announcement
PM Vishwakarma Mela begins at MG Marg to empower artisans of Sikkim
Gangtok, February 19 (IPR): The inaugural event of the two day PM Vishwakarma Mela is being organised by the MSME Development & Facilitation Office, Ministry of MSME, Government of India, from 19 to 20 February 2026 at MG Marg, Gangtok.
The programme was graced by the Chairperson, Farmer Welfare Board, Mr Padam Sharma, as the Chief Guest.
Mr Padam Sharma, in his address, highlighted the significance of the PM Vishwakarma Scheme as an initiative designed by the Government of India to empower farmers and traditional artisans by linking their skills with modern market platforms. Drawing from his extensive experience in the agricultural sector, he noted that while Sikkim was once self-reliant in food production, the gradual lack of structured market access over time contributed to the decline of traditional skills and agricultural practices.
He stated that the creation of platforms by departments such as the MSME Development & Facilitation Office has enabled local products and indigenous crafts to reach wider online and global markets.
Emphasising the need to move from “soil to sale”, Mr Sharma underscored the importance of understanding both production and market dynamics to ensure fair value for local produce, improve livelihoods, and promote sustainable growth in the State’s agricultural ecosystem.
Earlier, Assistant Director, Grade I, MSME-DFO, Mr Nirmal Chowdhury, in his opening remarks, highlighted the event as a platform to empower local craftspeople by offering them a high-visibility venue to display their products, following similar initiatives held previously in the region.
President, Seed Cell, Dr Raj Lama, in his address, expressed his gratitude to the MSME Development & Facilitation Office for creating a platform where even small farmers from villages and artisans from the far flung corners of Sikkim can come to Gangtok and showcase their products free of cost.
‘The main objective of the scheme is to help artisans and small traders enhance their skills so that they can better market their products and increase their sources of income,’ he added.
AGM, State Bank of India & SLBC, Mr Gopal Lama, emphasised that under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, artisans’ skills are linked with the banking system through structured institutional support.
Beneficiaries are provided training by empanelled agencies, followed by certification and a daily stipend of Rs 500 to support their participation and travel expenses. Post-training, they are onboarded onto the official portal and also receive a non-refundable incentive of Rs 50,000 to purchase a full toolkit.
The initiative aims to help local artisans enhance production, access the right market platforms to showcase their products, and eventually grow as independent entrepreneurs through financial linkage and institutional backing.
Under this scheme, traditional trades rooted in the traditional mentor, apprentice system, such as goldsmiths, blacksmiths, potters and others across 18 identified trades, are formally recognised and issued ID cards. Beneficiaries are then provided with five days of basic training, after which they become eligible to avail institutional credit.
Banks play a crucial role in this process by facilitating collateral-free loans of up to Rs 3 lakh at a subsidised interest rate of 5 per cent, enabling artisans to strengthen their livelihoods and scale their traditional enterprises.
Artisan, Ms Aita Maya, shared her experience that with the permission and support of the concerned authorities, she was able to set up her stall at the exhibition, where she showcased a range of self made products, including handwoven dolls, cloth-based items and handmade fabric bags.
She mentioned that all the items displayed at the stall were crafted by her own hands and received a positive response from visitors. She further expressed her interest in undergoing additional training in making products using materials such as clay and wood to diversify her craft in the future.
Thereafter, the beneficiaries were handed certificates of appreciation, followed by vibrant cultural performances.
The programme also witnessed the presence of Advisor, GMC, Mr Suresh Cintury, ADC, Gangtok, Mr Sisum Wangchuk Bhutia, Director, KVIC, Gangtok, Mr Santosh Meena, AD, Grade I, MSME, Mr Akshay Murkute, DGM, Reserve Bank of India, Mr Rodney C Valentine and Assistant Director, MSME, Ms Nisha Rani.
The programme was graced by the Chairperson, Farmer Welfare Board, Mr Padam Sharma, as the Chief Guest.
Mr Padam Sharma, in his address, highlighted the significance of the PM Vishwakarma Scheme as an initiative designed by the Government of India to empower farmers and traditional artisans by linking their skills with modern market platforms. Drawing from his extensive experience in the agricultural sector, he noted that while Sikkim was once self-reliant in food production, the gradual lack of structured market access over time contributed to the decline of traditional skills and agricultural practices.
He stated that the creation of platforms by departments such as the MSME Development & Facilitation Office has enabled local products and indigenous crafts to reach wider online and global markets.
Emphasising the need to move from “soil to sale”, Mr Sharma underscored the importance of understanding both production and market dynamics to ensure fair value for local produce, improve livelihoods, and promote sustainable growth in the State’s agricultural ecosystem.
Earlier, Assistant Director, Grade I, MSME-DFO, Mr Nirmal Chowdhury, in his opening remarks, highlighted the event as a platform to empower local craftspeople by offering them a high-visibility venue to display their products, following similar initiatives held previously in the region.
President, Seed Cell, Dr Raj Lama, in his address, expressed his gratitude to the MSME Development & Facilitation Office for creating a platform where even small farmers from villages and artisans from the far flung corners of Sikkim can come to Gangtok and showcase their products free of cost.
‘The main objective of the scheme is to help artisans and small traders enhance their skills so that they can better market their products and increase their sources of income,’ he added.
AGM, State Bank of India & SLBC, Mr Gopal Lama, emphasised that under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, artisans’ skills are linked with the banking system through structured institutional support.
Beneficiaries are provided training by empanelled agencies, followed by certification and a daily stipend of Rs 500 to support their participation and travel expenses. Post-training, they are onboarded onto the official portal and also receive a non-refundable incentive of Rs 50,000 to purchase a full toolkit.
The initiative aims to help local artisans enhance production, access the right market platforms to showcase their products, and eventually grow as independent entrepreneurs through financial linkage and institutional backing.
Under this scheme, traditional trades rooted in the traditional mentor, apprentice system, such as goldsmiths, blacksmiths, potters and others across 18 identified trades, are formally recognised and issued ID cards. Beneficiaries are then provided with five days of basic training, after which they become eligible to avail institutional credit.
Banks play a crucial role in this process by facilitating collateral-free loans of up to Rs 3 lakh at a subsidised interest rate of 5 per cent, enabling artisans to strengthen their livelihoods and scale their traditional enterprises.
Artisan, Ms Aita Maya, shared her experience that with the permission and support of the concerned authorities, she was able to set up her stall at the exhibition, where she showcased a range of self made products, including handwoven dolls, cloth-based items and handmade fabric bags.
She mentioned that all the items displayed at the stall were crafted by her own hands and received a positive response from visitors. She further expressed her interest in undergoing additional training in making products using materials such as clay and wood to diversify her craft in the future.
Thereafter, the beneficiaries were handed certificates of appreciation, followed by vibrant cultural performances.
The programme also witnessed the presence of Advisor, GMC, Mr Suresh Cintury, ADC, Gangtok, Mr Sisum Wangchuk Bhutia, Director, KVIC, Gangtok, Mr Santosh Meena, AD, Grade I, MSME, Mr Akshay Murkute, DGM, Reserve Bank of India, Mr Rodney C Valentine and Assistant Director, MSME, Ms Nisha Rani.
