Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 16 January 2025
The 3-day ‘PM Vishwakarma Exhibition-cum-Trade Fair’ commenced on January 15, 2025, at ITF Ground, Sri Vijaya Puram, with the aim of recognizing and providing marketing support to traditional artisans and craftspeople from 18 trades under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme.
Organised by the Branch MSME-Development & Facilitation Office (Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Government of India), in coordination with the UT Administration of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, the event aims to uplift and empower artisans and craftspeople who work with their hands and tools.
The fair was inaugurated by the Chief Secretary of Andaman & Nicobar Administration, Dr. Chandra Bhushan Kumar, IAS, who addressed the audience, highlighting the importance of the PM Vishwakarma Scheme. Launched in 2023 by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, this scheme aims to provide end-to-end support to artisans and craftspeople, fostering growth and creating market access for their unique products. Dr. Kumar emphasized that the MSME sector plays a crucial role in meeting everyday needs and empowering people through skill development, ensuring they have access to viable markets.
During his speech, Dr. Kumar expressed his admiration for the skills of artisans, who have been creating handcrafted products for generations. Their craftsmanship is unmatched, blending creativity, patience, and tradition, he said, adding that such fairs should be organized in other parts of the region, including Car Nicobar, Mayabunder, and Diglipur.
The inaugural function saw the presence of several dignitaries, including Additional Development Commissioner, Ministry of MSME, GoI, Dr. Ishita Ganguli Tripathy, IES, Secretary Industry, Dr. Satyendra Singh Dursawat, IAS, and Deputy Commissioners from South Andaman, N&M Andaman, and Nicobars. The event also saw participation from senior officials from the MSME sector both from the mainland and Sri Vijaya Puram.
Dr. Ishita Ganguli Tripathy, in her keynote address, thanked the UT Administration for their support in organizing the fair. She revealed that under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, the target was set to cover 30 lakh beneficiaries over five years, and as of January 15, a total of 26.4 lakh beneficiaries have been reached. Furthermore, the GM, NABARD, A&N Regional Office, highlighted the success of skill development programs, revealing that nearly 9,000 women have been trained through NABARD’s initiatives.
The inaugural session concluded with a warm welcome from the Joint Director & HoD, IEDS, MSME-DFO, Kolkata, Mr. Pradip Kumar Das, followed by a vote of thanks from the Assistant Director and In-Charge of Branch MSME-DFO, Sri Vijaya Puram, Mr. GK Sinha.
The exhibition showcases around 90 stalls, with 50 dedicated to PM Vishwakarma artisans, 20 stalls for MSMEs/Artisans, and 20 for government departments. The fair, open to the public from 9:30 AM to 9:30 PM till January 17, features various attractions, including cultural performances, handicrafts, food stalls, and amusement areas for children. Today, a cultural event will be organized where the Kalapani Band will perform songs and dances from 5 PM to 9:30 PM.
Additionally, technical sessions on topics such as Financial Assistance Schemes, Marketing Support, Technology Upgradation, Intellectual Property Rights, Import-Export Procedures, GeM Portal, and more have been planned, providing valuable insights for entrepreneurs, MSMEs, and startups.
The PM Vishwakarma Exhibition-cum-Trade Fair is set to empower artisans, showcase the richness of traditional craftsmanship, and create new opportunities for artisans and MSMEs in the region.