First 100 Days Of PM Vishwakarma Programme In Jammu Sets High Expectations — Ground Report

Vijay Kumar Prajapati, a potter from a border village in Jammu, can be found working through the day at his small workshop — sitting under a thatched shed, housing a traditional chaak (potter’s wheel), with one leg perpetually engaged in rotating the wheel, with both his hands occupied in shaping the clay pots.

This has been the routine for his livelihood for the past 25 years, before which, he used to assist his father, who was also a potter at the same spot.

Today, Vijay and his brother Bodh Raj Prajapati, are the only potter family in this border village of Khour Camp, located deeper into Akhnoor, nearly 70 km from the main city of Jammu.

Belonging to the Prajapati caste, known as ‘Kumhars’ or potters, they carry forward a generational legacy of crafting earthenware, traditional pots, trays, and items for ceremonies and rituals.

Vijay tells Swarajya, “Iss gaon mein mitti ka kaam karne vale sirf hum hi ek parivaar bacha hai. Yeh chaak ko paaon se ghumaana padta. Pehle hum do bhai aur humaari behene milke kaam karte the, to chaak chalaane mein pareshaani nahi hoti thi. Ab hum bhi buddhe ho rahe hai, mushkil ho gaya hai zaada chalaana.”

(Initially, my brother and sisters used to assist me, so operating the wheel was not as challenging. But now, as we are aging, it has become more difficult to manage.)

While there is demand within their village and the surrounding areas for clay products, the brothers have struggled to expand their production due to inability to afford a mechanical wheel. The production remains limited, with them typically producing only five-six items per day through a laborious process.

These items include small oil lamps, prayer trays, water pots, planters, and traditional household utensils and heaters, priced between Rs 10 and Rs 250. While they are also adept at crafting clay toys and traditional artefacts, they say it takes more time, and has also lost demand over the years.

“Yeh kaam kisi aur se bhi nahi kara sakte. Yeh karigaari hai, humne hi seekhi hai. Chaak ko chalana, neeche ka balance banaana aur saath mein upar bartan pe dhyan dena hota hai. Yeh bhi jab tak paon salamat hai, tab tak.”

(This work cannot be given to others. It's our craft, something we've learned from our father. Operating the wheel, maintaining balance, and shaping the pots all require strength and attention. We can only do it as long as our feet are healthy.)

Most potters typically have a motor-based potter’s wheel system, relieving them from manually rotating the wheel, but these Jammu potters have to still hold onto the traditional way.

In the process, they first have to get the soil from the hills, then clean and manually grind it twice, mix water, and prepare the clay. After that, they shape it into vessels, dry it, and then fire it.

With such low and slow-paced production, they have also set up a fast-food place in the same shop, just to support the income. In these border areas, there are only 12-15 families left who are doing this work.

“They are also not able to earn much because of cheaper markets, and coming in of factory-made items, mostly in China, which are cheaper and easily available in cities,” he adds.

However, now in the last two months, the family, as well as other potters in the region, have registered for the Centre’s PM Vishwakarma scheme, that has been launched with the focus on training and supporting such skillsets and artisans involved across the country.

Under the scheme, Bodh Raj tells Swarajya, “We have been given a basic training of five days, with introduction to new tools, safety for carving and baking, and ways of advancing our craft. The government will provide us a mechanical wheel, tools for detailing, and exposure to expanding our work to local and larger markets.”

A Scheme For Massive Unorganised And Unrecognised Sectors

Initiated on 17 September 2023, by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), the PM Vishwakarma programme aims to empower artisans and craftspeople across the nation engaged in 18 designated trades.

These trades include Carpenter, Boat Maker, Traditional Doll & Toy Maker, Armourer, Blacksmith, Hammer and Tool Kit Maker, Potter, Sculptor, Cobbler, Goldsmith, Mason, Basket/Broom/Coir Weaver, Barber, Garland Maker, Washerman, Tailor, and Fishing Net Maker.

Under PM Vishwakarma, registered artisans, who currently rely on manual skills and tools, will receive training, new tools, and guidance to enhance their work and improve their livelihoods.

The training covers aspects such as introducing new techniques, enhancing skill sets as per current market demands, fostering digital proficiency, and providing market connections and financial support.

This initiative focuses on integrating artisans into the value chain, connecting them with larger businesses, government projects, and export markets to boost their incomes and contribute to the economy. Scheduled to unfold over five years, the programme aims to address the recognition and growth potential of artisans nationwide.

Just two kilometres from Bodh Raj's village lives another potter family led by 65-year-old Karnal Kumar Prajapati, who is carrying forward his family's pottery tradition and passing it on to his son, Raman Prajapati.

Karnal Prajapati managed to arrange a mechanical tool some years ago, that has drastically impacted their production.

Raman also took the Vishwakarma training, and the father-son are now optimistic on setting up a factory to elevate their work with the resources and guidance provided under the PM Vishwakarma scheme.

He tells Swarajya, “Vaha jaake aankhein khul gayi humaari, kya naya kaam kar sakte hai. Itne saal kisi ne nahi poocha. Modi ki yeh scheme pehli baar humein badaane aayi hai. Yeh kaam to bus khatam tha samjho. Ab yeh badega. Ghar ke peeche hi factory lagaayenge, jaha par naya samaan banega aur sheher tak jaayega.”

“Sirf yehi nahi, pichle saalon mein, humaari pension seedha humaare account mein, betiyon ko padaane mein, aur badaane mein sahaara, davai aur ilaaj, sab kuch diya iss sarkar ne Modi ke baad.”

(Going there opened our eyes to what new work we can do. For so many years, no one ever asked us. Modi's scheme has come to uplift us for the first time. It was as if our work was just ending, but now it will grow. We'll set up a factory behind our home, where new goods will be made and sent to the city.)

(Not just that, in recent years, this government, after Modi, has provided us with everything — from pension directly to our account, to supporting and educating our daughters, and even for treatment and medication.)

In the past two-three years, due to social media and government initiatives, there has been a resurgence in demand for traditional items, particularly in Jammu.

Families like the Prajapatis are now planning to expand their offerings to include toys, decorative items like birds, dolls, and murtis, along with items used in Indian home rituals, in addition to water pots and clay cookware.

Almost all the Prajapati families engaged in pottery in Jammu district have enrolled in the scheme and received training at Government ITI, Jammu —the only institute offering this skill training.

Not only potters but also beneficiaries, mostly OBCs, engaged in daily wage work as carpenters, cobblers, blacksmiths, cleaners, masons and more, from various border and remote areas such as Pallan wala, Akhnoor, Marh, Kanachak, Suchetgarh border, Arnia border, Thub, Kukrian have actively participated in the scheme, travelling regularly to Jammu city to avail the benefits.

How Are The Vishwakarmas Being Trained

According to the initiative's dashboard, Jammu and Kashmir ranks second, following Karnataka, in the number of registrations since the initiative's launch. Across 25 states, a total of 356,966 individuals have completed basic training and assessment.

In the last 100 days, starting 20 January 2024, 59,124 beneficiaries in J&K have been assessed across various trades.

The tailor trade has seen the highest enrolment nationwide. While, in Jammu, various traditional skill sets such as toymaking, pottery, and sculpting — often considered dying arts — have been introduced at Government ITI, Jammu, that has enabled numerous traditional artisans to enroll and revitalise their trades.

"Toy making is another unconventional skill," says Sheetal Sharma, trainer for this trade at the institute.

"Since January, we have already completed three batches. There is no local toy-making industry in Jammu. Yet, people registered and we were astonished to see the diverse backgrounds and interests of the participants."

One of the recent batch members, Garu Ram, tells Swarajya, "I remember watching my mother make toys when I was a child, and I was always intrigued by it. We have a departmental store; the lack of a local industry and demand never allowed the growth of that local toymaking."

“I learned about this training from a friend, and now I plan to expand this business through our shop. Many of us trainees intend to collaborate once we receive the tools and loans. It is easier to do it together, as it has never been done before, and we will all learn from each other.”

Just like Garu Ram, several others, from all age groups also joined the course — many because of its uniqueness. The batch comprises artists, tailors aspiring to enter the industry, and also toy shop owners — who currently have to source toys from Delhi, which are primarily made in China and of inferior quality.

Sheetal tells Swarjaya, “The training starts with a 'zero' day, during which beneficiaries undergo document verification and an orientation session to gauge their interests and level of experience. Following this, a five-day training programme covers various aspects, including design, detailing, and the creation of soft toys."

"The emphasis is on using new tools and techniques, as well as understanding how to grow their business and the significance of their work. Whether it's a simple teddy bear or a traditional toy with Kashmiri embroidery, each toy typically consists of 9-10 parts, from scratch to completion. The training has a 'sixth' day, for assessment including both theoretical and practical assignments.”

"This has been a very unique opportunity for these people to undergo this training and start something on their own," says Shubhan Krishan Fotedar, the trainer for the washerman trade.

A Kashmiri Pandit who has been working at the directorate and teaching instrumental mechanics in Srinagar and Jammu for the last 30 years, he has now trained these people after his retirement.

"It is my pleasure to contribute to the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and empower these individuals to create their own futures. What do these small workers have otherwise to see the future, to grow? The Prime Minister has given them the hope.”

“The environment is changing. Everybody has praise about the actions of the government. The youth had stones earlier, look now. They have opportunities to learn. It is not about distributing benefits, but to make them capable of having their own business,” he adds.

Drawing parallels with Japan's post-World War growth, which started from scratch, he sees this initiative as a great beginning for these workers, and for India.  

He adds, “This is what I try to teach them. I understand that many are just coming for the money, the toolkits. But I emphasise the potential of their work, there are so many industries where their skills can be utilised."

"Instead of viewing cleaning in a conventional way, they should see the growing opportunities in Jammu, including tourism, healthcare, and residential sectors. By using the machines, the right way and acquiring the necessary skills, they can turn this into a thriving industry, providing employment for many."

The Old And Young

Most beneficiaries come from rural regions of Jammu, majorly the borders with limited exposure beyond their immediate surroundings. With the scheme, taking care of the process and the ensuring that no one is left is also a challenging task for the institutions.

Across Jammu district, a total of 8,217 beneficiaries have completed training in 11 different trades in nearly 20 training centres, including both government and private.

Of this, the Government ITI, Jammu, has alone trained 1,721 beneficiaries in nine of the trades since January — the maximum trades among all institutes.  

“When PM Vishwakarma began, we set the highest target and the maximum trades in the whole state,” says Er A R Sheikh, Principal, Jammu ITI.

When asked why the institute chose to take the maximum target, he tells Swarajya, “These people, for the first-time are getting access to such quality resources. I trust the scheme’s model. We had the infrastructure and the confidence to take this to the next level.”

He adds, “This is the most deserving target group that needed assistance, both young and old. Most of these people were always overlooked, however, you look at their work, they serve as the backbone of any city or habitat. Not just for J&K, but formal growth of this service sector is important for the socio-economic growth of the country.”

While most people are still choosing the common trades such as tailoring, carpentry, the institute wanted to maximise the opportunities available, as they believed that the state is growing and concentrating on just one or two skillsets will not help.

Most of these people, yet remain unrecognised but now see their work as important professions as well. After years of working, with no proper education, they are now able to sit in classrooms and workshops in an educational institution.

“This experience itself has changed their overall perspective,” Abhishek Sharma tells Swarjaya.

Abhishek handles the masonry trade, which, due to its widespread application, has seen one of the highest numbers of registrations. Over the past three months, he has conducted eight batches, training nearly 175 masons and workers.

“Most beneficiaries belong to the 35 and above age group, engaged in daily wage labour locally. Now, they are here to learn about new tools and adopt faster and safer construction methods. I encourage them to bring their old tools along so they can compare and understand the new digital tools effectively,” he adds.

Balwinder singh, the oldest in the class, tells Swarajya, “45 saal se hum mistri ka kaam kar rahe hai. Sab khud seekha aur auzaar bhi khud banaate aur samhaalte the. Yeh kamre mein baaki bacho ke saath baethke bhi naya kuch seekhne ko milta hai. Nayi machiney di hai napaayi ki aur guniya ki.”

“Modi ji ne iss scheme se sab kuch socha hai. Humaari dihaadi bachaane ke paise milenge, aur loan aayega tab apna kaam badega. Shuttering le sakte hai, naya kaam theke pe utha sakte jab paisa milega,” he adds, while confirming with other group of masons that in the coming elections, all votes are going towards his party.

The workers have now gained safety instructions, access to digital tools, and new learnings to complement their existing skills.

These individuals, mostly belonging to OBCs, and generationally engaged in these works still remain below poverty line. Through the scheme, they anticipate growth with government aid, bank loans, certifications, and recognition to elevate the quality in their local work.

Now, like Vijay and Bodh Prajapati, along with other potters, masons, toymakers, blacksmiths — are all waiting for their certifications, resources and financial aid as per the scheme’s parameter. Further, they are also looking forward to the advanced training session of 15 days, where they seek to gain knowledge of how to further develop and expand their trades.

In just the early days of the initiative, in a region that was unstable for long, this scheme has opened up numerous avenues for multi-skilling a large group of individuals who have historically worked in unrecognised, uncertified, and unorganised sectors.

As per the institute, currently most of the machinery is engaged in election duty, the participation numbers are only going to increase, not just in their institute, but throughout.

Officials in Jammu add, “Imagine, when we train 1 crore beneficiaries nationwide, and they expand their work, they will be capable of training at least four more people around their work, changing the overall course of these sectors. This has given a very good start, what is now essential is that its stepwise execution remains consistent.”

This report is part of Swarajya's 50 Ground Stories Project - an attempt to throw light on themes and topics that are often overlooked or looked down. You can support this initiative by sponsoring as little as ₹2999. Click here for more details.