Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Sunday attended the launch ceremony of ‘PM Vishwakarma Scheme’ by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, virtually at the UT-level function organized in Srinagar.
The Lt Governor expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for the transformative initiative.
He said the scheme will directly benefit thousands of artisans and craftspeople of J&K UT working with their hands and tools.
“Our outstanding artisans with creativity and hard work have not only preserved the priceless heritage, diverse culture and traditions but also kept the wheels of socio-economic growth moving. These hardworking hands are the strength of the progressive society,” the Lt Governor said.
The PM Vishwakarma Scheme honours traditional skills of craftspeople and their exemplary commitment and dedication. It will ensure the Vishwakarmas are provided with financial assistance, skill upgradation and they are integrated with national and global value chains, he added.
“Traditionally, Vishwakarmas are considered as the drivers of growth. They are the personification of artistic power, lord of the arts, creator of diverse crafts and builders of enterprises. Unfortunately, the discriminatory system in J&K existed here for decades has imprisoned the aspirations of communities engaged in traditional skills,” the Lt Governor said.
He said under the guidance of the Prime Minister, “we are working with the vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas & Sabka Prayas” to empower poor, deprived sections of society. I am confident 'PM Vishwakarma Scheme' will bring revolutionary transformation in the lives of our Vishwakarmas”.
The Lt Governor highlighted the key initiatives taken by the UT Administration for the socio-economic development of the families engaged in traditional skills and handicrafts and handloom sectors.
“Handloom and Handicrafts are emerging as two very important pillars of our economy. The Government has recognized more than 29 other crafts and brought them under the ambit of handicrafts and handloom sector. With the continuous support and guidance from the Prime Minister, we have been successful in doubling the exports of handicrafts and handloom,” he said.
Sinha also called upon all the sections of society to identify and isolate the elements trying to disrupt peace and development.
“Conflict profiteers have constructed their houses in foreign countries, sent their children abroad for studies and made the poor suffer. We have decimated that ecosystem and dismantled the network of such conflict profiteers. We have overcome many challenges in the last three years to bring peace and prosperity in the life of the common man,” the Lt Governor said.
He also highlighted the efforts to bring transparency and accountability in the governance process.
“Those who never allowed talent, merit and hard work to flourish, now have problems with the transparent, honest and accountable system. I want to tell them that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, rights of people will always be safeguarded, only merit will be promoted and the ecosystem of good governance and transparency will be further strengthened”, he said.
Kaushal Kishore, Union Minister of State for Housing & Urban Affairs called for connecting maximum traditional artists and craftspeople with the PM Vishwakarma Scheme.
The Union MoS commended the progress registered by Jammu Kashmir under various schemes and also assured all support and assistance to the women folks in establishing industrial units.
Fayaz Ahmad Bhat, a tailor from Srinagar received Vishwakarma ID Card and Certificate from Prime Minister in Delhi. He is an expert in traditional Pheran. He has been working since the last 40 years with a single-minded pursuit of excellence in this traditional art.