Following up on his August 15 speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the "PM Vishwakarma Scheme," a national initiative with a budget of £1.3 billion. He claimed that it was past time for the "Vishwakarmas" (community of artisans and crafts people) to receive help and recognition, and that his government had stepped up as a partner to increase their respect, develop their skills, and bring them prosperity.
“Modi stands for those who have nobody to care for them,” the PM said, noting that he was here to serve, give a life of dignity and make sure that delivery of services happened without fail. “This is Modi’s guarantee,” he emphasised.
The Prime Minister made his comments at a ceremony in Dwarka to honor Vishwakarma Jayanti and mark the opening of the first phase of Yashobhoomi, India's largest convention and exposition center.
In reference to the main features of the programme, Modi stated that "Vishwakarma friends" would be eligible for a very low-interest loan of up to Rs 300,000. He said that because they had "Modi's guarantee," banks would not request any guarantees.
“Our Vishwakarma colleagues are the pride of ‘Make in India’ and this International Convention Centre will become a medium to showcase this pride to the world,” Modi said. The Vishwakarma scheme is aimed at benefiting artisans overwhelmingly drawn from among socially backward communities. Political circles have seen this as an attempt to forge the myriad artisan castes engaged in 18 different traditional occupations - carpentry, pottery and the like - into an important political constituency. On their own, these castes lack the numbers, resources and clout to make a big difference but collectively, they can potentially have important weightage.
By leveraging the biometric-based gateway, the programme's Common Services Centers will provide free registration for craftsmen and craftspeople. They will receive recognition through the PM Vishwakarma certificate and ID card, skill upgrading through basic and advanced training, a toolkit incentive of Rs 15,000, collateral-free credit support of Rs 300,000 - up to Rs 100,000 (first tranche) and Rs 200,000 (second tranche) at a concessionary interest rate of 5%, an incentive for digital transactions, and marketing assistance.
BJP holds multiple events to mark the occasion
On the occasion of the 73rd birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the ruling BJP organised various welfare programmes across Gujarat.
CM Bhupendra Patel visited Trimandir in the Adalaj area of Gandhinagar and prayed before Simandhar Swami for the “long and healthy life” of Modi.
Ahmedabad city BJP chief and Ellisbridge MLA Amit Shah visited the Blind People’s Association in the Vastrapur area of Ahmedabad and served food to the specially-abled children.
The Culture Cell of Gujarat BJP organised a three-day exhibition, of 73 paintings prepared by various individuals on the basis of poems written by Modi in his book Aankh aa Dhanya Chhe.
President Droupadi Murmu, other dignitaries and senior politicians extended warm greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who turned 73. The BJP launched "Sewa Pakhwara" from Sunday to October 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, to reach out to various parts of society with a variety of humanitarian programmes to honour the occasion. The PM himself had inaugurated the ambitious "PM Vishwakarma" scheme on his birthday.