PASIGHAT, SEPT 14:
The Branch Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development and Facilitation Office (MSME-DFO), Itanagar, under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, organised a one-day awareness programme under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme at IGJ Government Higher Secondary School, Pasighat, on Monday.
The programme was organised in collaboration with the District Industries Centre (DIC), East Siang, and Arunachal Pradesh Micro and Small Industries Development Association (APM&SIDA) to strengthen the entrepreneurial and marketing capabilities of artisans and PM Vishwakarma beneficiaries.
The programme covered entrepreneurship, branding, packaging, digital onboarding, financial and credit support, market linkages, artificial intelligence (AI) tools and export opportunities.
APM&SIDA President Lindum Rana delivered the welcome address, followed by felicitation of guests and an address by East Siang DIC Extension Inspector (EI) Hunti Koyu.
MSME-DFO Itanagar Assistant Director Sourav Kumar briefed participants on the PM Vishwakarma scheme and various MSME initiatives aimed at supporting artisans and entrepreneurs. He highlighted opportunities in skill upgradation, entrepreneurship, technology and innovation, branding, market access, trade fairs and exhibitions, credit support and subsidies. Participants were also sensitised on formalisation through Udyam Registration.
Bingu Ram Chandra Reddy, Lead District Manager (LDM), conducted a session on financial literacy and inclusion, covering formal banking services, credit facilities and loan application and disbursement procedures. He also briefed participants on social security schemes, including the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Atal Pension Yojana (APY), besides avenues for accessing institutional finance for enterprise development.
PM Vishwakarma Arunachal Pradesh State Level Project Management Unit (SLPMU) representative Diksha Nanda Bora conducted a technical session on entrepreneurship, marketing, branding, packaging, e-commerce onboarding and practical applications of AI. The session focused on product presentation, pricing, promotional content, digital marketing and customer engagement, highlighting how artisans can use digital tools and AI to improve their products and expand their markets.
A special session on exporting artisan products was conducted by Om Prakash Jha and Ashish Saha of India Post Payments Bank (IPPB), East Siang. Participants were sensitised on export procedures, documentation, compliance requirements and opportunities to take locally produced artisan products to international markets. They were also informed about postal export services and the role of Dak Ghar Niryat Kendra in facilitating exports and improving market access.
A facilitation desk for Udyam Registration was set up at the venue to provide on-the-spot assistance to artisans and beneficiaries in formalising their enterprises and improving their digital readiness.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Branch MSME-DFO Itanagar Ratan Raj, who highlighted the participation of artisans from Arunachal Pradesh under the PM Vishwakarma scheme and the opportunities available across different trades.
The programme saw participation from artisans, PM Vishwakarma beneficiaries, entrepreneurs, DIC officials, banking representatives and postal officials. It provided practical guidance on enterprise development, branding, packaging, digital marketing, access to finance, social security and expanding artisan products in domestic and international markets.
