A humble craftsman from the remote village of Nalchar in Tripura, Karna Nama took part in the ‘At Home’ event at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Independence Day.
Karna Nama was one of the five beneficiaries of the Prime Minister Vishwakarma Scheme in the country who was invited in the event at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Prime Minister Vishwakarma Scheme on 17 September last year to support traditional artisans and craftsmen from 18 specific trades such as goldsmiths, tailors, blacksmiths, barbers, handicraftsmen, doll makers, garland makers, potters, etc.
The state government is implementing this scheme in all districts of Tripura. Under this scheme, artisans and craftsmen are being recognized with Prime Minister Vishwakarma certificates and ID cards after skill training.
Encouraging responses are being received from traditional craftsmen. So far, about 50,000 craftsmen have registered themselves under this scheme.
According to information received from the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India, as part of country’s Independence Day, five Vishwakarma beneficiaries from different states of India were selected centrally and invited to the “At Home” event organized at Rashtrapati Bhavan on August 16.
Among the five beneficiaries, Karna Nama, a craftsman from Nalchar village in Sonamura subdivision of Tripura, was selected. Son of Nimai Nama, this skilled artisan of Tripura’s traditional handicrafts has brought glory to the State by participating in the “At Home” program at the President’s Secretariat.
Earlier in the morning of Independence Day on August 15, Karna Nama was felicitated by the Union Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Jitendra Ram Majhi.
Besides, this craftsman was also felicitated by the Development Commissioner (MSME), Government of India.
Notably, under the Prime Minister Vishwakarma Scheme, a traditional craftsman can avail a subsidized bank loan at a lower interest rate after obtaining a Prime Minister Vishwakarma Certificate and ID card to expand his business.
Moreover, a toolkit incentive of Rs. 15,000 will be provided to the beneficiary to purchase advanced toolkits. Interested craftsmen can register themselves on the Prime Minister Vishwakarma portal with the help of their respective Common Service Centers.
(Tripura, Tripura News)
