PM VISHWAKARMA APPLY ONLINE 2024
On the special occasion of Vishwakarma Jayanti, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 17th of September, 2023 launched the PM Vishwakarma Yojana which had been announced by him during the 77th Independence Day address from the ramparts of the Red Fort. The scheme aims to provide financial support, skill training, skill upgradation and marketing assistance to small artisans and craftsmen across the country. The Scheme has the goal to enhance their well-being and promote India’s culture, tradition, and craftsmanship, and is directed towards benefitting the artisans and the craftspeople in the rural and urban areas across India. The Scheme was launched at the India International Convention and Expo Centre in Dwarka in Delhi.
About of pm vishwakarma
Earlier, while presenting Budget 2023-24 on February 01, 2023, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman had announced the PM Vishwakarma Kaushal Samman (PM VIKAS) Yojana for traditional artisans and craftspeople. The scheme is aimed at enabling the Vishwakarmas, to improve the quality, scale and reach of their products, integrating them with the MSME value chain, which is expected to advance the cause of financial inclusion and give a fillip to the women and other socially disadvantaged groups led enterprises.
Highlighting the importance of empowering rural India for the nation’s growth, the Prime Minister, while addressing the 12th & the last post-budget Webinar on PM Vishwakarma Kaushal Samman on Saturday, March 11, 2023, had underscored the need to work in a time-bound mission mode to accomplish the objectives of the Scheme. He had also reiterated Government’s commitment to provide Holistic Institutional Support to every artisan to ensure that he/she gets access to easy loans, skilling, technical support, digital empowerment, brand promotion, marketing & raw material.
Scope of the Vishwakarma Yojana
Under the MSME Ministry, the Scheme is aimed at 18 traditional crafts that will be covered under the Scheme including
Trade Options
1. Carpenter
2. Boat Maker
3. Armourer, one who maintains and repairs small arms and weapons systems, with some duties, resembling those of a civilian gunsmith
4. Blacksmith;
5. Hammer and Tool Kit Maker;
6. Locksmith;
7. Goldsmith;
8. Potter;
9. Sculptor, Stone breaker;
10. Cobbler (Shoesmith/ Footwear artisan);
11. Mason (Rajmistri);
12. Basket/Mat/Broom Maker/Coir Weaver;
13. Doll & Toy Maker (Traditional);
14. Barber;
15. Garland maker;
16. Washerman;
17. Tailor; and,
18. Fishing Net Maker.
The Scheme has been launched to support the people engaged in traditional crafts with the following features:
1. Has been fully funded by the Centre with an outlay of ₹ 13,000 crore;
2. Under the scheme, the Vishwakarmas (traditional artisans) will be registered free of charge through Common Services Centers using biometric-based PM Vishwakarma portal.
3. The Vishwakarmas will be provided recognition through PM Vishwakarma certificate and ID card;
4. Will be provided skill upgradation, involving basic and advanced training;
5. Will be provided a toolkit incentive of ₹ 15,000;
6. Will be provided Collateral-free credit support up to ₹ 1 lakh (first tranche) and ₹ 2 lakh (second tranche) at a concessional interest rate of 5%;
7. Will be provided Incentive for digital transactions and marketing support.
Under the Scheme, the government will focus on providing special training to the Vishwakarma partners and will provide them Rs 500 while the training is underway. They will also get a Toolkit voucher worth Rs 1,500 & the government will also help them in branding, packaging, and marketing their products.
The primary objective of the Scheme is to enhance the quality and reach of the products and services crafted by the artisans and the craftspeople ensuring their integration into both domestic and global value chains.
A National Committee for Marketing (NCM) will provide the Vishwakarmas services such as Quality Certification, Branding & Promotion, E-commerce linkage, Trade Fairs advertising, publicity, and other marketing services.
Significance of Vishwakarma Jayanti in Indian tradition & culture
Vishwakarma Jayanti is a significant Hindu festival celebrated in honour of Lord Vishwakarma who is considered the divine architect and craftsman. The origin of Vishwakarma Jayanti can be traced back to the ancient Indian scriptures and texts. The earliest references to Vishwakarma Jayanti can be found in the Rigveda, one of the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism.
Today, workers worship Lord Vishwakarma on this auspicious day seeking his blessings for success in their professions.
Today, Vishwakarma Jayanti stands as a symbol of India’s rich cultural heritage and its recognition of the importance of skilled labour in building and advancing the Society.
Epilogue
At the inauguration event of the PM Vishwakarma Scheme which coincided with the Vishwakarma Jayanti, PM Narendra Modi drew attention to the growing demand for handmade products the world over, stating that the work the Global companies sublet to the small enterprises can be outsourced to Vishwakarmas making them a part of the global supply chain. Informing that the government has been working for this, he said, the PM Vishwakarma Scheme is an effort to take the Vishwakarmas into the modern age.
The PM Vishwakarma scheme represents a significant stride towards preserving India’s cultural heritage, empowering skilled artisans, and promoting the rich tradition of craftsmanship that has endured for generations. The initiative embodies the government’s commitment to supporting traditional crafts, and ensuring that they thrive in the modern era.
At its core, the scheme seeks to bolster and nurture the Guru-Shishya Parampara (mentor-disciple tradition) and the family-based practice of imparting traditional skills among Vishwakarmas.
The scheme thus undoubtedly reflects the steadfast commitment of the government under the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to support and uplift individuals engaged in traditional crafts.
