Union Minister Launches Prime Minister Vishwakarma Yojana

Hubballi, Karnataka - Union Minister of State for Electronics, IT, and Skill Development, Rajeev Chandrashekar, unveiled the Prime Minister Vishwakarma Yojana (PMVY) at the Chalukya Railway Institute in Hubballi, coinciding with Vishwakarma Jayanti celebrations.

This pioneering scheme, aimed at rejuvenating India's artisanal heritage, comes with an initial allocation of ₹13,000 crore. Here's a closer look at the significant aspects of this initiative:

Empowering Artisans and Traditional Trades

PMVY is a centrally-sponsored scheme designed to bolster artisans by providing them with vital resources. These resources encompass funding, training, and incentives, all of which are geared towards fostering the continuation of handicrafts and traditional trades.

In the words of Minister Chandrashekar, "This will help not only to give a boost to the rural economy but also to preserve Indian cultural heritage."

A Multifaceted Approach

Under the PMVY umbrella, a wide spectrum of 18 traditional handicrafts is encompassed. This comprehensive approach ensures that artisans across various domains receive the support they need. The scheme offers financial stability to those who rely on these professions for their livelihoods. It goes further by providing skill training, loan assistance, incentives for digital transactions, assistance for purchasing equipment, and support for marketing their businesses.

Transforming Lives and Uplifting Communities

Minister Chandrashekar emphasized the transformative impact of PMVY, highlighting its role in addressing key challenges faced by the nation. He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, especially in navigating national security and economic challenges, resulting in overall development.

Skill India and Beyond

The Minister underscored the government's commitment to skill development, pointing out the success of the Skill India initiative. Before 2014, a staggering 38 crore youth lacked employable skills and education. However, in just nine years, Skill India has trained around six crore people, significantly enhancing their employability.

Revolutionizing Education

Beyond skill development, Chandrashekar credited the new National Education Policy (NEP 2020) with revolutionizing mainstream education, bringing about significant changes that promise a brighter future for the nation.

Recognizing Unsung Artisans

Basavaraj Horatti, Legislative Council Chairman, stressed that PMVY's scope extends beyond jewelers, covering a multitude of handicrafts and traditional vocations. Until now, many of these artisans remained unrecognized. However, PMVY has bestowed global recognition upon them.

A Promising Future

The launch of Prime Minister Vishwakarma Yojana represents a significant milestone in preserving India's rich heritage and uplifting the lives of countless artisans and traditional craftsmen. With its multifaceted approach and substantial allocation, PMVY is poised to make a lasting impact on the nation's cultural legacy and rural economy.

This initiative aims to support artisans and preserve traditional crafts while boosting the rural economy. With an initial allocation of ₹13,000 crore, PMVY provides training, financial assistance, and incentives for artisans.

Minister Chandrashekar highlighted its role in addressing national challenges, including skill development and education reform.

Latest facts:

• According to a 2022 report by the Ministry of Textiles, the handicrafts sector in India employs over 70 million people and contributes over ₹4 lakh crore to the country's GDP.

• The government has set a target of increasing the exports of handicrafts to ₹1 lakh crore by 2025.

• The PMVY is expected to benefit over 10 million artisans in India.

• The scheme will provide skill training to artisans and help them to upgrade their skills.

• The scheme will also support the marketing of handicrafts and traditional products, both domestically and internationally.

The PMVY is a welcome step by the government to support artisans and traditional industries. The scheme is expected to give a boost to the rural economy, preserve India's cultural heritage, and create new employment opportunities.