• Jammu and Kashmir has emerged as the top-performing region under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, with approximately 17,000 toolkits delivered directly to artisans' homes. This milestone reflects the Union MSME Ministry’s commitment to empowering traditional craftsmen, particularly in underserved trades like sculpting, boat making, and toolkit crafting. Proactive awareness campaigns, spearheaded by MSME officials and district administrations, have played a crucial role in boosting participation, ensuring artisans receive the tools, financial aid, and knowledge necessary for sustainable livelihoods.

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir stands at the top position in the entire country with the highest number of toolkits 17000 (approx) delivered directly to the homes of artisans under the PM Vishwakarma scheme. This achievement demonstrates the commitment of the Union Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) in reaching out to the grassroots level and providing tangible benefits to artisans who are traditionally underserved.

The Union Ministry of MSME has been proactively working towards the promotion of artisans under traditional trades such as sculptor, fisher net maker, hammer and toolkit maker, boat maker etc under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme. These trades have seen relatively very low participation in the scheme, particularly in regions like Jammu and Kashmir. The Ministry’s efforts aim to uplift these trades and ensure that the artisans are equipped with the necessary tools, financial support, and knowledge to continue their craft sustainably.

Assistant Director, MSME, Saheel Alaqband highlighted the efforts undertaken by the Branch MSME DFO Srinagar under Ministry of MSME  in Kashmir region in raising awareness and encouraging participation in the scheme. Speaking about the initiatives, Alaqband mentioned that recently this office, in collaboration with district administrations in Ganderbal, Baramulla, and Pulwama, conducted awareness programs targeting these low-participation trades.

The awareness programs aimed not only to educate artisans about the PM Vishwakarma Scheme but also provided a platform for on-the-spot registration for artisans involved in the mentioned trades in few programs. These efforts were meticulously carried out in coordination with the district administrations to ensure maximum outreach and impact.

In addition to the awareness programs, the field office organized awareness camps at the workplaces of the artisans, further bridging the gap between government initiatives and artisans' needs. Recently, a specific awareness program was conducted in Srinagar for sculptors, aiming to familiarize them with the scheme and its benefits. The goal was to ensure that sculptors were fully informed about the available support and that they could take advantage of the scheme to sustain and expand their businesses.

Your voice can reach the world: At JK Monitor, we firmly believe that every well-researched idea has the power to inspire change beyond geographical boundaries. We are delighted to share an encouraging message from one of our esteemed contributors, Dr. Rakesh Verma (J&K Forest Services). ā€œHis article, ā€˜When Trees Become Rights-Bearing Citizens: A Lesson from Canada for India’s Ecological Future,’ published on JK Monitor, received appreciation from La Compagnie des Papillons Bleus, the French non-profit organisation that founded and promotes the Universal Declaration of Tree Rights.ā€.  Read the message here
In loving memory of Dr. Priya Ranjan: A mentor who treated me like family
A Profound Loss: JK Monitor Mourns the Passing of Founding Chairman Dr. Priya Ranjan

We at JK Monitor are profoundly saddened by the sudden demise of our Founding Chairman, Dr. Priya Ranjan.IN LOVING MEMORY Dr Priya Ranjan

A brilliant mind who studied at Netarhat Residential School and graduated in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur before earning his PhD from the University of Maryland, Dr. Ranjan chose to return to India and dedicate his life to teaching, research and social good.

His pioneering work in networked systems, AI, robotics and biomedical applications—especially computer-vision tools for early detection of cancer and heart disease—reflected his deep belief that advanced technology must serve humanity.

For more than 15 years at JK Monitor, he remained a loyal friend, mentor and collaborator, marked by rare humility, intellectual integrity and quiet generosity. His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. Priya, you will be deeply missed. Your life continues to remind us that knowledge finds its highest purpose in the service of others.

— Team JK Monitor

       LOOK_HERE.jpg Esteemed readers, for your convenience, we have categorized our news publishing into following šŸ‘‡