The Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, organised the ‘PM Vishwakarma – National SC-ST Hub Conclave’ on 16 April, 2025, at the Convention Hall, Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University, Baripada, Mayurbhanj, Odisha. The event commenced with the inauguration of an exhibition and brought together stakeholders, beneficiaries, and government officials to highlight key initiatives such as the PM Vishwakarma Scheme and the National SC-ST Hub. The Conclave was co-chaired by Jitan Ram Manjhi, Union Minister of MSME, and Mohan Charan Majhi, Chief Minister of Odisha. The dignitaries inaugurated the Conclave with a ribbon-cutting and lamp-lighting ceremony. The gathering was also graced by Gokulananda Mallick, Minister of State (Independent Charge), MSME, Fisheries & Animal Resources Development, Govt of Odisha; Hemant Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary, Industries & MSME Department, Govt. of Odisha; Prakash Soren, MLA, Baripada, Govt of Odisha; Mamata Mohanta, MP, Rajya Sabha, Mayurbhanj, Odisha; Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia, Minister of State (IC)Forest, Environment & Climate Change, Labour, Labour & Employees State Insurance, Govt of Odisha; Dr Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, Minister, Housing and Urban Development, Public Enterprises, Govt. of Odisha; Naba Charan Majhi, MP, Lok Sabha, Mayurbhanj, Odisha, and other senior officials of the Ministry. The conclave began with the welcome address by Dr Ishita Ganguli Tripathy, ADC, DC(MSME), followed by a welcome address and a presentation on role of Ministry's Schemes and MSMEs growth in Odisha State by Dr Rajneesh, AS & DC, DC(MSME). The event featured experience-sharing by beneficiaries of the PM Vishwakarma, PMEGP, and SC-ST Hub initiatives. To empower entrepreneurs, e-certificates were distributed to PM Vishwakarma beneficiaries, along with the distribution of credit cheques. Certificates were also awarded to National SC-ST Hub beneficiaries and PMEGP beneficiaries. Jitan Ram Manjhi, Minister for MSME, Government of India, spoke about the significant role the MSME sector playing in job creation and improving livelihoods. He highlighted the importance and role of the PM Vishwakarma and National SC-ST Hub schemes, along with the contributions of the Coir Board and Khadi, in empowering individuals and improving livelihoods. “I express my sincere thanks and gratitude to President Droupadi Murmu, whose guidance has brought me here to Odisha, her region, with the purpose of promoting MSMEs. Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi envisions India becoming a developed nation, and by the year 2027-28, it will become the world’s third-largest economy,” the Minister said. Manjhi said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave us a Ministry of a vision — and the Ministry of MSME is truly a ministry of vision. I am 200 per cent sure of this. I feel extremely grateful to be working for the MSME sector. This Ministry is the greatest department, and every entrepreneur aspires to grow through it.” “Odisha is doing very well and the MSME sector in the state is progressing impressively. Because of MSME initiatives, today every enterprise is registered on the Udyam Registration Portal. The MSME sector in Odisha will continue to grow through our Ministry’s efforts, contributing to Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a developed India,” he further added. News source: PIB