Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
Posted On:
16 SEP 2025 4:55PM by PIB Gangtok
The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), in association with District Industries Centre, National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC), India Post and Sikkim University, organized a one-day awareness programme on Marketing Support under the PM Vishwakarma Yojana at Prayatan Bhawan, Tourism Office, Gangtok today.
The event was graced by Gangtok District Collector, Shri Tushar G. Nikhare, as the Chief Guest. Shri Milan Rai, Additional District Collector (Development), Gangtok, and Smt. Yang Chhang Bhutia, Deputy Commissioner, Gangtok Municipal Corporation, attended as Guests of Honour.
In his address, DC Nikhare emphasized the significance of the PM Vishwakarma Scheme and also gave a detailed information on PAILA (Program for Aspiring Innovators and Local Achievers) initiative started by the State Government in Sikkim, a program aimed at supporting local entrepreneurs through events like Meet & Greets with experienced entrepreneurs, fostering innovation and self-reliance among local achievers. The program also includes awareness sessions on government schemes, digital marketing, and opportunities for growth, providing a platform for entrepreneurs to connect, learn, and build their ventures. He encouraged the participants to be a part of this initiative and leverage its benefits to the fullest.
Expert resource persons delivered sessions on leveraging government portals such as GeM, ONDC, B2B Portals, and Laghu Udyog Portal. They also discussed digital marketplaces like Amazon, Flipkart, and Meesho, as well as social media platforms like YouTube and Facebook. Additionally, they covered other digital marketing tools.
Dr. P. K. Das, Professor at Sikkim University, delivered a presentation on Digital Marketing, covering online promotion and selling strategies, government-supported digital commerce initiatives, and organic marketing techniques. He also discussed the role of social media platforms and e-commerce sites like Flipkart and Meesho in branding products, employing selling methods, and offering discounts.
Shri Monojit Chandram, Deputy Superintendent, India Post, Gangtok, highlighted the role of post offices in trade and provided an overview of India Post's functioning. He stressed the importance of India Post in entrepreneurship.
Shri Sameer Pradhan, Marketing Executive, India Post, presented an overview of India Post, West Bengal Circle, focusing on the features of Speed Post, a premium service for fast, reliable, and time-bound delivery across India and abroad. He also explained the Speed Post tariff structure, which is based on shipment weight and distance.
The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from artisans and entrepreneurs, who expressed their commitment to adopting new tools and technologies to reach wider audiences.
In conclusion, the awareness program on Marketing Support under the PM Vishwakarma Yojana was a resounding success, providing artisans and entrepreneurs with valuable insights and practical training on digital marketing platforms and e-commerce opportunities. The program reaffirmed the Government's commitment to empowering traditional artisans and preserving India's rich cultural heritage.
Background
The PM Vishwakarma Scheme, launched on 17th September 2023 by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has been a landmark initiative for the empowerment of traditional artisans and craftspeople. In the first phase of implementation, over 30 lakh registrations were completed across the country. Artisans have already benefitted from the distribution of modern toolkits, issuance of unique artisan identity cards, and concessional loans at 5% interest to enhance their productivity and livelihood.
Moving forward, the second phase of the scheme emphasizes comprehensive marketing support to ensure that artisans are able to effectively showcase and sell their products in today’s competitive marketplace. Today’s programme was aimed at providing artisans with guidance and practical training on digital marketing platforms and e-commerce opportunities.
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MPS/SK