Name : Gokulananda Sahoo
Age : 81
Place: Cuttack, Odisha

With over 60 years of experience in Philigir art, Gokulananda Sahoo is a seasoned goldsmith. Despite being a well-experienced artist, he faced challenges to make his ends meet, as most of his profits were taken away by middlemen who got him orders from big jewellers. Gokul earned Rs70-80 per day, a meagre amount to support his family of four, including a handicapped son.

In a Recognition of Prior Learning Programme (RPL) under PMKVY 2016-20, The Goldsmith Academy conducted a certification programme for 40 associations, mobilising 7,000 members in 4 states. The support and partnership of the goldsmiths’ associations contributed towards the mobilisation.

After undertaking the RPL program, Sahoo feels elated. He shares,

“Thistraining means a lot to me. Never did I receive any recognition, leave alone a certificate. I am a happier person now. I have learned to work with new age tools and it is an irony that I could not make use of such tools and techniques earlier. My productivity and income could have been much higher.”

Sahoo has now established contacts with bigger jewellery houses in Cuttack and now earns four times of his previous income.