Films on inspiring personalities will help create good environment for self employment: Prez

President Ram Nath Kovind today said movies made on inspiring personalities would create a good environment for self employment opportunities and that the government can provide assistance for such ventures.

He cited the example of Tamil Nadu's Arunachalam Muruganantham who made a major contribution in improving menstrual hygiene by making low-cost sanitary pads. Akshay Kumar's flick 'Padman' is based on Muruganantham's story.

Speaking at a function organised by the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Ministry here, Kovind said movies made on such inspiring personalities will create a good environment for self-employment opportunities.

"I have been informed that Tamil Nadu's Arunachalam Muruganantham has made a very significant contribution to the society... and over 100 countries have shown interest in manufacturing his low-cost sanitary pads.

"A film inspired by his success was also made which became quite popular. There are many such inspiring examples and more films should be made on them which will create a good environment for self employment opportunities. The ministry can also provide suggestions and assistance to talented people to make such films," Kovind said.

Development Commissioner MSME Ram Mohan Mishra said the ministry would work on the President's suggestion to showcase success stories through movies.

Addressing the 'Udyam Sangam' conference to mark the UN MSME Day, the President observed that MSME entrepreneurs can present effective and affordable solutions for societal and local problems based on grass-root level innovation in their surrounding areas.

He also launched the Solar Charkha Mission and the Sampark portal which is a digital platform aiming to connect 5 lakh job seekers with recruiters.

The digital platform would be quite useful in creating a skill pool and connecting trained youth with job opportunities, he said.

"To utilise the potential of these enterprises towards inclusive development, National Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Hub was established in Ludhiana. As a consequence of this initiative youth from these communities seeking job and entrepreneurship opportunities will be encouraged more.

"Udyam Sakhi portal started by the MSME Ministry this year is providing facilities of training, fund raising, market survey and technical assistance to 80 lakh women," he said.

He pointed out that the government has introduced many special provisions for MSME entrepreneurs.

The delinquency norms which classify loans of MSME borrowers registered via GSTN as non-performing assets have been eased by the RBI. The relaxation has recently also been extended to MSME entrepreneurs not registered under GST, Kovind said.

"According to a survey, there are about 6.5 crore MSMEs in India which have created over 11 crore job opportunities. Such enterprises have registered over 10 per cent growth in recent times which is much more compared to large enterprises," he added.

Further, the President said that the Zero Defect, Zero Effect model to improve quality standards is a good initiative which would extend the reach of MSMEs in India and beyond while reducing the negative impact on the environment.

"I have been informed that consistent efforts are being made to develop the MSME sector and to bring these enterprises in the organised sector fold and attention is being paid to higher credit support, capital and interest subsidy," he said.

"After agriculture sector, maximum number of people find employment in such enterprises. Such enterprises create employment opportunities in rural and backward areas," Kovind said.

MSME Minister Giriraj Singh said that MSMEs have created 4 crore jobs in the last four years through initiatives like collateral free loans to 16 lakh entrepreneurs between 2014-18, linking 15 lakh people to the Prime Minister's Employment Guarantee Programme and setting up 94 clusters for artisans and manufacturers.

The Minister further said the Solar Charkha Mission launched by the President will create five crore jobs.

"During the first phase of the mission, 50 clusters will be established and financial assistance worth Rs 550 crore is being provided by the government which will create one lakh jobs," Singh said.