Current context: The Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Kaushal Samman (PM-VIKAS) initiative was announced by the Finance Minister of India, Smt Nirmala Sitaraman, as part of the Budget presentation.
- This scheme aims to improve the status of the country's artisans and craftsmen, who have been disappearing since the British era.
- The scheme’s main objective is to preserve India's age-old arts and traditional crafts and boost its economic status.
- The scheme will achieve its objective by increasing the calibre of the artisans, increasing the reach of their goods, providing financial support, and integrating the entire program with the MSME sector. It will also introduce artisans and craftsmen to paperless payments and take the arts and crafts to international markets.
- Skills and training programs for traditional and age-old crafts will be conducted, with the latest technology skills being imparted during the training.
- The training will aim to increase productivity and profit without disturbing the traditional practices involved in craft-making.
- The PM-VIKAS initiative holds great significance for India as it aims to make the country self-reliant and enhance its global reputation.
- Several Indian arts and crafts have significant demand in the global market, such as Kashmiri shawls and Rajai, which are famous in countries like Turkey and Iran.
Question:
Q.1 What is the main objective of the Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Kaushal Samman scheme in India?
a. To increase the reach of traditional crafts and arts in the global market
b. To improve the economic status of artisans and craftsmen in the country
c. To impart latest technology skills to artisans and craftsmen
d. To preserve the traditional practices of craft making
b. To improve the economic status of artisans and craftsmen in the country
c. To impart latest technology skills to artisans and craftsmen
d. To preserve the traditional practices of craft making
