PM Vishwakarma initiative: NEHHDC, IIGJ sign MoU to enhance Northeast jewellery

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 25, 2024

The North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation Limited (NEHHDCL) has formed a key partnership with the Gems & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the NEHHDC campus in Guwahati on Monday. This collaboration aims to launch the Indian Institute of Gems & Jewellery (IIGJ) at the Guwahati campus, aligning with the PM Vishwakarma (Goldsmith) initiative.

The initiative primarily focuses on the upliftment and skill development of artisans and entrepreneurs involved in the gems and jewellery sector in Northeast India. By establishing the IIGJ campus in Guwahati, the initiative seeks to provide training, educational opportunities, and support to craftsmen, enhancing their competitiveness and fostering entrepreneurship in the region.

The MoU between NEHHDCL and GJEPC enables the IIGJ to leverage its skilling and training expertise in Northeast India. This partnership aims to effectively implement the PM Vishwakarma (Goldsmith) initiative by providing specialized training and business development support tailored for artisans and entrepreneurs in the jewellery sector.

During the event, various entrepreneurs and artisans from the jewellery sector participated in discussions, highlighting the challenges they face, such as access to markets, technology, and financial resources. These discussions were pivotal in exploring practical solutions for enhancing the jewellery sector’s growth and sustainability in the region.

Sriparna B. Baruah, advisor to NEHHDC, underscored the significance of the collaboration in advancing the PM Vishwakarma (Goldsmith) initiative throughout the Northeast. She highlighted that this partnership aims to foster skill development and generate new opportunities for local artisans, thereby enhancing the region’s craftsmanship.

Debasish Biswas, CEO of IIGJ, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership with NEHHDC, stating that it will establish a niche centre for IIGJ in the Northeast. This centre is intended to provide industry-aligned skilling and training for local artisans, entrepreneurs, and aspiring jewellery professionals, along with support for industry associations and trade bodies. Biswas emphasized that this initiative could play a vital role in cultivating a skilled workforce and boosting the jewellery sector’s growth in the region, ultimately contributing to its economic development.

The event was attended by notable officials, including Siddharth Himmatsinghka, COO, GJEPC, Kaushik Ghosh, Regional Director, GJEPC Eastern Region, Koushik SV, Head of IIGJ Udupi, Lokesh Kumar Parganiha, Deputy Director and HoD, MSME-DFO, Guwahati, and Palash Bhowmick, Chief Manager, NSIC. Additionally, Shri Santanu Deka and Bhaskar Kakoty from the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) were present at the ceremony.

This MoU is set to create significant growth opportunities for the Northeast jewellery sector while preserving the rich cultural heritage of the region.