Press Note Details: Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Information & Broadcasting

VBSY #23: The story of Archana Pawar’s transformative drive

Posted On: 12 JAN 2024 12:27PM

In the process of nation-building, it’s the economic empowerment of its citizens that forms the cornerstone of progress. Recognizing this, the Government of India unveiled the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), a transformative initiative aimed at skilling and upskilling to empower millions of individuals nationwide.

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) was launched in 2015 to encourage and promote skill development in the country by providing free short-duration skill training and incentivizing this by providing monetary rewards to youth for skill certification. The underlying objective is to boost economic growth by connecting the industry with a skilled workforce. More than 1.38 crore candidates have been trained/ oriented under PMKVY since the scheme's inception till June 30, 2023.

The Story of Archana Pawar

Archana Pawar from Mumbai, Maharashtra, exemplifies the transformative impact of the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana. In an interview with media during the VBSY, she shared that the training she obtained under the scheme gave her the freedom to be independent. Driven by a passion for entrepreneurship and a desire to break free from economic limitations, she enrolled in a skill development programme facilitated by PMKVY and learned how to drive.

After completing her training under the PMKVY, Archana acquired a loan under yet another Government of India scheme called Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana. With this money, she bought a two-wheeler and a four-wheeler vehicle. Eventually, supported by the financial aid facilitated by PMMY, she materialized her vision of establishing her own motor driving school. These two government schemes gave her the wings to fly as they springboarded her dreams into a reality. But the story doesn’t end here!

Trail of empowerment

Opening her motor driving school allowed Archana to break free from gender stereotypes and tread an unconventional path. She started training other women and giving them the confidence and capability to challenge societal norms. Several of the women she trained have started working with food delivery agencies. Being employed has allowed these women to be financially independent. It has allowed these women to have agency in their lives and offered them the choice of living on their terms. Today, Archana’s driving school stands tall as the symbol of empowerment.

PMKVY’s impact is not just limited to these women. Empowering one woman radiates ripples of change across society, leaving a trail of empowerment and development as it progresses. As women earn and contribute to the economy, families thrive, children flourish, communities prosper, and gender stereotypes fade. This ripple effect lays the foundation of a strong nation, painting a more equitable and vibrant future for India, one woman at a time.

Government welfare schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) and Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) have emerged as potent tools in empowering women across India. PMMY provides financial assistance to female entrepreneurs, enabling them to start or expand their businesses through access to collateral-free loans. On the other hand, PMKVY offers skill development programmes, equipping women with industry-relevant expertise and certifications, enhancing their employability, and enabling them to participate actively in the workforce. These initiatives not only act as building blocks of women’s economic empowerment but also serve as drivers of social change, and the development and prosperity of the nation.

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