Empowerment of Tribal Women in Damoh Through PM Vishwakarma Yojana

Damoh (Madhya Pradesh), March 6 (NationPress) The PM Vishwakarma Yojana, initiated by the Government of India, has emerged as a symbol of hope for marginalized communities, especially tribal women in rural Madhya Pradesh.

This program, aimed at providing free training and financial support, is empowering women to achieve self-sufficiency through skills in sewing, embroidery, and weaving, paving the way for self-employment and economic freedom.

In the Damoh district, the positive effects of this initiative are already visible. In the village of Nandpura, situated in the Mahangwa Gram Panchayat of Tendukheda block, a group of tribal women seized the chance to transform their lives.

They participated in the scheme by completing online applications at a local computer café and received three months of complimentary training in operating sewing machines, embroidery techniques, and fabric weaving.

The primary objective of the PM Vishwakarma Yojana is to assist traditional artisans by equipping them with skills, training, and financial aid for purchasing sewing machines.

This initiative aims to enable women to establish small sewing businesses from home, thereby increasing their income and ensuring a stable livelihood.

The focus is on breaking the cycle of poverty by providing women with the tools needed to support their families and enhance their financial autonomy.

One of the women reaping the benefits of this program is Vidhya Bai Gound, a tribal woman from Nandpura. After the loss of her husband, Mukesh Gound, a few years back, Vidhya faced difficulties in making ends meet. With a young son to care for, she worked as a laborer while managing a small grocery store to sustain her family. However, everything changed when she discovered the PM Vishwakarma Yojana.

In an interview with IANS, Vidhya Bai Gound shared, "I was struggling to manage the household after my husband passed away."

"I worked as a laborer and ran a small shop, but I still couldn't make ends meet. When I learned about this scheme, I completed the online form and joined the training program in Tendukheda. I received my certificate by mail, and shortly, the government will transfer ₹15,000 into my account to buy a sewing machine. Meanwhile, I’ve started stitching garments on a rented machine, and my family’s financial situation is improving."

Vidhya’s experience exemplifies how this initiative is changing lives, giving women the opportunity to flourish, even amidst adversity.

Another participant, Rajni Adivasi from Nandpura, also recounted her journey.

"I learned about the scheme and filled out the application at a computer shop. After a week of training, I started stitching clothes. Thanks to PM Modi’s initiative, I now earn between ₹200 to ₹500 by repairing old clothes. Although I haven’t received the financial support for a machine yet, I’ve already obtained my training certificate, and I’m optimistic that the funds will arrive soon."

The PM Vishwakarma Yojana is designed to benefit artisans in two phases: a 5-day basic training followed by 15 days of advanced training.

Artisans receive a daily wage of ₹500 during the training period. Upon successful completion, they are given financial assistance of up to ₹15,000 for purchasing a sewing machine.

Moreover, those who possess a training certificate can apply for loans of up to ₹3 lakh, providing them with additional opportunities to expand their businesses and achieve financial independence.