A trade fair spanning three days is currently ongoing in Patna, featuring around 60 stalls where traditional artisans and beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana are exhibiting and selling their handmade goods. The fair, taking place from March 10 to 12 at the MSME Development Office, aims to offer a significant platform for these artisans and small entrepreneurs to present and market their products. Bihar Legislative Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar inaugurated the event, highlighting the scheme’s role in empowering artisans and enhancing their skills, thus fostering a connection between producers and markets.
The Speaker emphasized the scheme’s impact on traditional artisans in Bihar, noting the state’s rich tradition of skilled artisans and small industries. He pointed out the scheme’s role in boosting artisans’ incomes, creating employment opportunities through small industries, and stressed the importance of spreading awareness about the program. Rakesh Kumar Chaudhary, Director of the MSME Development Office, outlined the fair’s objective of providing artisans with a platform to showcase their products, connect with markets, and expand their businesses.
Beneficiaries at the fair shared their positive experiences with the PM Vishwakarma Yojana, with soft toy maker Manita Azad praising the scheme for its support to small artisans and unemployed individuals, especially in rural areas. Azad highlighted the scheme’s provision of training, necessary materials, travel allowances, and loans to kickstart self-employment ventures. She expressed optimism about the scheme’s potential to boost the export of Indian-made cloth toys. Another beneficiary, Ravi Kumar Gaurav, shared how the scheme had transformed his life by offering him the opportunity to start his own business, leading to increased income and growth potential.
Stone sculptor Arvind Ravidas, from Gaya district, credited the PM Vishwakarma Yojana for enhancing the quality of his work through training and financial assistance, enabling him to showcase and sell his products at various events successfully. Aditya Raj, another beneficiary, highlighted his training, certification, and loan support under the scheme, expressing anticipation for receiving a toolkit soon.
