ZIRO, 11 Sep: To help local craftspeople thrive in a changing economy, the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises organised a hands-on awareness workshop under the PM Vishwakarma scheme at the DIC hall here in Lower Subansiri district on Friday.
Organised by the Itanagar branch of the MSME-DFO alongside the Lower Subansiri District Industries Centre (DIC) and the APM&SIDA, the session gave traditional artisans real-world tools to modernise their crafts, navigate modern finance, and reach broader markets.
Setting the stage for the sessions ahead, Vijay Sehrawat from MSME-DFO Itanagar walked the attendees through the core benefits of the PM Vishwakarma scheme. He highlighted practical ways local entrepreneurs can access skill upgrading, capital subsidies, and spots at national trade fairs, while encouraging unregistered creators to officially list their businesses through Udyam registration.
Financial experts then stepped in to break down complex banking processes into manageable steps. Representatives from the State Bank of India, including Pankaj Rai and Bikwas Debnath, guided the participants through low-interest loan applications, credit access, and essential social security schemes built for unorganised workers.
Turning towards digital trends, Rohit Sahu from SLPMU, Papum Pare led an interactive session on modern packaging, smart product pricing, and selling on e-commerce platforms. He showed artisans how everyday AI tools can simplify digital marketing, from crafting promotional copy to engaging with online customers.
Looking beyond local borders, the event also opened doors to regional and global distribution. Local tax official Takhe Rinyo demystified export requirements, explaining the basic compliance and paperwork needed to sell indigenous products overseas. Postmaster Nani Tadi, working with local India Post payments bank executives, introduced the Dak Ghar Niryat Kendra initiative, showing how rural post offices can act as direct shipping hubs to simplify overseas logistics for local creators.
The organisers set up a live helpdesk, where artisans received immediate, hands-on assistance in setting up their official Udyam registrations and generating business QR codes for digital payments.
Closing the event, Ratan Raj of MSME-DFO Itanagar shared local participation stats and thanked the community for their energy. The active turnout of artisans, bankers, and local leaders made it clear that Ziro's traditional crafts are well-positioned to connect with today's digital, global marketplace. (DIPRO)
