Muzaffarpur, March 13 (NationPress) A production trade fair dedicated to beneficiaries of the PM Vishwakarma initiative was held by the MSME Department of the Central Government at the ITI campus in Gannipur, Muzaffarpur. This event offered artisans a valuable opportunity to showcase their skills and unique products.

The fair was officially inaugurated by District Magistrate Subrat Kumar Sen, along with the presence of Assistant Director of MSME A. Salemu Rajulu, Regional Director of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship R.C. Mandal, ITI Principal Parmesh Parashar, the Deputy Labour Commissioner of Muzaffarpur, and the General Manager of the District Industries Centre.

A total of 50 beneficiaries of the PM Vishwakarma scheme participated by setting up stalls that featured an array of handcrafted items and traditional arts developed through the training provided by the government initiative.

During the event, certificates were awarded to 15 beneficiaries who successfully completed their training under the scheme. The officials present took the time to inspect the stalls and engage with the artisans to gain insights into their work and the program's impact.

In his address, District Magistrate Subrat Kumar Sen encouraged the community to leverage this scheme, emphasizing that the government is dedicated to assisting artisans through training, financial aid, loans, and toolkits.

“I urge everyone to fully utilize the benefits of this scheme. Loans are available, and toolkits are being distributed. A diverse range of work is being supported,” he stated.

Assistant Director of MSME A. Salemu Rajulu noted that the fair was designed to motivate artisans and provide them with a platform to present their creations to a broader audience.

“We have invited 50 artisans and provided them with stalls to showcase their products,” he added.

Providing further details, ITI Muzaffarpur Principal Parmesh Parashar shared that 9,336 beneficiaries have registered for the scheme to date. From this number, 7,935 beneficiaries have already completed their training, and certificates have been distributed to 7,925 trainees.

“In this district, we have six operational centers where training has been offered in 18 different trades,” he explained.

Beneficiaries also shared their experiences regarding the initiative. Prahlad Pandit, a maker of earthen utensils, mentioned that he joined the program in 2023 and subsequently received training along with tools.

“I create earthen utensils. After applying in 2023, I received training and was given tools. Now, we are developing new variations of utensils,” he stated.

Another participant, Sheel, expressed that she was trained in Madhubani painting and has been practicing it for about a year.

“We were educated in Madhubani painting and have been creating it for the past year. We are extremely grateful. The government has supported us with a toolkit and financial assistance,” she remarked.

The event underscored the government's commitment to promoting traditional skills and supporting artisans by connecting them with training, financial resources, and market prospects.