On September 17, 2023, i.e. on the occasion of Vishwakarma Jayanti, the Prime Minister (PM) of India Narendra Modi dedicated the Phase -1 of the India International Convention and Expo Centre (IICC), also known as Yashobhoomi to the nation located in Dwarka Sector 25, New Delhi, Delhi.
- IICC is India’s largest convention and exhibition centre with a total indoor area of 300,000m2.
- He also launched PM Vishwakarma Scheme covering 18 focus areas of artisans and craftsmen along with its logo, tagline ‘‘Samman Samarthya Samridhi” and portal (https://pmvishwakarma.gov.in/).
- He released a customized stamp sheet, a tool kit e-booklet and video on the occasion.
- The launch/release was made from the IICC, New Delhi.
Note: Vishwakarma Jayanti is annually celebrated on the last day of the month of ‘Bhadrapada‘ of the Hindu calendar. Usually, Vishwakarma Jayanti falls on 17th or 18th September.
About IICC-Yashobhoomi:
Built at a cost of approximately Rs. 5400 crore, it is one of the world’s largest MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) facilities, featuring India’s first indoor arena with a retractable roof. The total project area is over 8.9 lakh square meters and a total built-up area is more than 1.8 lakh square meters.
- Department for Promotion of Industry and internal Trade (DPIIT) had set up a 100% Government owed company namely India International Convention & Exhibition Centre (IICC) Limited to implement, and develop the project.
Highlights:
i.It is designed by CP Kukreja Architects.
ii.It has been awarded Green Cities Platinum certification from Confederation of Indian Industry’s (CII) Indian Green Building Council (IGBC).
iii.Kinexin Convention Management Pvt Ltd, a consortium of Korea International Exhibition Centre (KINTEX) and eSang Networks Company Ltd, has been appointed as the operator for exhibition and convention centre for managing the venue for 20 years.
iv.National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation Limited (NICDC) is acting as the knowledge partner for the project for an initial period of 10 years.
v.YashoBhoomi will overtake Bharat Mandapam in Delhi’s Pragati Maidan as its total land size of over 221 acres is more than latter’s 123 acres.
Note: Its foundation stone was laid in 2018 by the PM and is being built in two phases. The complete project (after Phase II completion) is planned at an estimated cost of Rs 25,703 crore.
- Phase-II will include three exhibition complexes, arena, hotels (3500 hotel rooms), retail and office spaces.
Key Facilities:
i.Spans 73,195 square metres, it encompasses 15 convention rooms, including the main auditorium, the grand ballroom, 13 meeting rooms, and can accommodate up to 11,000 delegates.
ii.It also Largest LED (Light-emitting diode) media facade in India
iii.It has Innovative automated seating system for flexible configurations
iv.These halls connect to a grand foyer with a unique copper ceiling that filters light through skylights.
v.Public areas in Yashobhoomi incorporate Indian cultural elements like terrazzo floors with Brass inlay.
vi.The facility prioritizes sustainability with a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment system, and rainwater harvesting.
vii.It is equipped with High-tech security measures to ensure visitor safety, and there’s an underground parking facility for over 3000 cars and 100 electric charging points.
viii.It connects to the Delhi Airport Metro Express line through the newly established Yashobhoomi Dwarka Sector 25 station, featuring three subways for easy access to Exhibition halls, the convention center, and more.
- Note: Before IICC inauguration, PM inaugurated the extension of the Delhi Airport Metro Express line, which will now connect Dwarka Sector 21 to Yashobhoomi Dwarka Sector 25.
About PM Vishwakarma Scheme:
It is a fully funded Union Government Scheme with an outlay of Rs 13,000 crores to support artisans and craftspeople, also known as, Vishwakarmas in rural and urban areas across India through skill upgradation and income.
Focus:
i.To improve the quality, and reach of products and services of artisans and craftspeople
ii.To strengthen the Guru-Shishya parampara (teacher-student tradition) of traditional skills
Key Points:
i.It offers free registration for Vishwakarmas through biometric-based PM Vishwakarma portal, providing recognition, skill upgrading, a toolkit incentive of Rs 15,000
ii.A collateral-free credit support up to Rs 3 Lakh will be provided viz. Rs 1 lakh (first tranche) and Rs 2 lakh (second tranche) at a concessional interest rate of 5%, and incentive for digital transactions and marketing support.
iii.During training times, Rs 500 per day allowance will be provided to the Viswakarmas.
iv.In the first year, five lakh families will be covered and a total of 30 lakh families will be covered over five years from FY24 to FY28.
The scheme will cover the following traditional crafts:
- Carpenter
- Boat Maker
- Armourer
- Blacksmith
- Hammer and Tool Kit Maker
- Locksmith
- Goldsmith
- Potter
- Sculptor, Stone breaker
- Cobbler (Shoesmith/ Footwear artisan)
- Mason (Rajmistri)
- Basket/Mat/Broom Maker/Coir Weaver
- Doll & Toy Maker (Traditional)
- Barber
- Garland maker
- Washerman
- Tailor
- Fishing Net Maker
Other Participants:
Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Ministry of Finance; Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Ministry of Commerce and Industry; Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Ministry of Education (MoE); Union Minister Narayan Rane, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME), among others.
Recent Related News:
i.On 1st July 2023, Narendra Modi, Prime Minister (PM) of India launched the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission (NSCEM) as part of the National Health Mission (NHM) and released the guidelines for Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission in Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh to eliminate anaemia by 2047.
ii.The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) under Ministry of Communication(MoC) in collaboration with MyGov(Government of India’s citizen engagement platform), has launched the “Bharat Internet Utsav” to celebrate the transformative role of the internet by encouraging citizens to share their stories of how the internet has positively impacted their lives.
About India International Convention & Exhibition Centre (IICC) Limited:
Managing Director & CEO– Sumita Dawra ((Special Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade(DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry(MCI))
Headquarter– New Delhi, Delhi
Establishment– 2017
