Namchi, 1st September: The Advocacy Program under the Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojna (PMVDY) was held on the 31st August 2021 for Namchi Subdivision at the District Administrative Centre –conference Hall. The chief guest for the program was Miss Anjeeta Rajalim- Additional Political Secretary (South) to Honorable Chief Minister-Government of Sikkim. Other dignitaries included Officials from the Line Departments and from the Implementing Department. Participants for the advocacy program included the Team Leaders of the Van Dhan Vikas Kendras, Master Trainers under PMVDY, Presidents of the Multipurpose Cooperative Societies (MPCS), Block Project Managers/ Assistant Project Managers under State Rural Livelihood Mission and Managers/Surveyors of the Van Dhan Kendras. The advocacy program was part of the sensitization of PMVDY and its implementation at the grassroots level. The Team Leaders and the Master Trainers shared their experience working under Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojna (PMVDY) and how this Yojna could be a source of increasing their income through value addition of Minor Forest Produces (MFP).The officials of the Implementing Department (Department of Cooperation) gave a brief status report of the Yojna under the subdivision and the future course of action under PMVDY. The Block Project Manager in her address highlighted how SHG’s have been tied up under these Van Dhan Vikas Kendras for value addition of Minor Forest Produces. The Chief Guest in her address to the house assured every possible assistance in implementation of the Yojna and emphasized on how this Yojna could be a source of women empowerment through financial independency. The Program ended with a vote of thanks to all the Guests and the Participants