Financial Literacy Workshop Empowers Brass Metal Artisans In Hajo

Hajo: A two-day Financial Literacy Workshop aimed at uplifting the brass metal artisans of Hajo concluded successfully on February 9. Organized by the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) in collaboration with Youthcove Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Guwahati-based Big Mind Consulting Pvt. Ltd., the workshop provided crucial insights into financial planning and government schemes to support the artisans’ economic growth.

The event saw active participation from approximately 200 artisans from the Hajo Brass Metal Cluster. The workshop was inaugurated by Sri Anupam Anand, Branch Manager of SIDBI Hajo, and featured knowledge sessions conducted by CA Mrinmoy Pathak and Samir Baruah, an ex-banker and advisor to the Youthcove Foundation.

The workshop aimed to address pressing challenges faced by artisans in sustaining their businesses. Prior to the event, Youthcove Foundation conducted a baseline survey to identify key barriers, such as difficulties in raw material procurement, middlemen exploitation, limited market access, lack of design intervention, and financial constraints.

Based on the survey findings, the workshop provided solutions, including:

Encouraging artisans to form a cooperative society for collective raw material procurement and direct market access.
Training sessions on social media marketing and branding to enhance global outreach.
Financial guidance on availing government schemes like PM Vishwakarma, PMEGP, Mudra Loan, and CGTMSE.

Skill upgrade sessions led by design experts from Muradabad and Ahmedabad. The workshop extensively covered topics vital to the artisans' growth, including:

Access to Modern Tools & Machinery: Awareness of PM Vishwakarma scheme, which offers collateral-free loans up to Rs. 3 lakh at a 5% interest rate and toolkits worth Rs. 15,000.

Banking & Financial Literacy: Encouraging artisans to open current bank accounts to build transaction history and improve eligibility for business loans.

Market Expansion & Branding: Educating artisans on the usage of digital platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook for promotion and ensuring completion of the GI Tag registration process.

Health & Safety Concerns: Proposals for the cooperative society to fund better-quality coal, reducing health hazards from traditional coal-burning methods.

Improving Wages & Export Potential: Training on international market pricing and export strategies to boost earnings beyond the current Rs. 300/day wage.

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The Financial Literacy Workshop at Hajo marks a significant step in revitalizing the brass metal industry. By providing artisans with financial knowledge and access to resources, SIDBI and Youthcove Foundation are paving the way for a more self-reliant and economically sustainable future for traditional craftsmen at Hajo.

Moving forward, stakeholders are considering the transformation of the Common Facility Centre into a full-fledged Brass Metal Incubator, which could establish Hajo as a heritage craft village. This initiative, if sustained, has the potential to generate steady incomes, uplift artisans, and strengthen the regional economy.

Youthcove Foundation and SIDBI remain committed to furthering these efforts, ensuring that the artisans of Hajo receive continued support in scaling their businesses and preserving their rich craft legacy.