DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 15 March 2024

KIRTI Programme

Source: pib

Why in News: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has recently launched the distinctive Khelo India Rising Talent Identification (KIRTI) program.SPORTS | Nation-wide talent hunt scheme KIRTI launched - The Hindu

About KIRTI Programme:

Description:

  • KIRTI is a component of the prominent Central Sector Scheme known as Khelo India.
  • It serves as both a scouting and training initiative aimed at fostering a sports culture and nurturing talent capable of achieving success for India on the global stage.

Aim: Identifying talent among school-aged individuals between 9 and 18 years old.

Objective:

  • To discover talent from all corners of the nation.
  • To utilize sports as a means to deter youth from substance abuse and other distractions.

Concerned Ministry: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports

Features:

  • KIRTI aims to conduct 20 lakh assessments nationwide throughout the year to identify talent via designated Talent Assessment Centers.
  • It has been launched across 50 centers in India, with the initial phase targeting assessment of fifty thousand applicants across 10 sports, including athletics, boxing, wrestling, hockey, and football.
  • The program’s athlete-centric approach is characterized by a transparent selection process facilitated by Information Technology.
  • Utilization of data analytics based on Artificial Intelligence to assess the athletic potential of aspiring athletes.

PM-SURAJ portal

Source: TH

Why in News: Recently, the Prime Minister inaugurated the ‘Pradhan Mantri Samajik Utthan and Rozgar Adharit Jankalyan’ (PM-SURAJ) portal.PM launches Pradhan Mantri Samajik Utthan evam Rozgar Adharit Jankalyan (PM- SURAJ) portal

About the PM-SURAJ Portal:

  • Credit Support for Entrepreneurs: The portal is designed to extend credit support to entrepreneurs hailing from marginalized segments of society.
  • One-stop Point for Loan Applications: It serves as a centralized platform where individuals from marginalized communities can conveniently apply for and monitor the status of various loan and credit schemes they qualify for.
  • Nationwide Credit Assistance: Eligible individuals across the country will have access to credit support through banks, Non-Banking Financial Company-Micro Finance Institutions (NBFC-MFIs), and other relevant organizations.
  • Approval for Entrepreneurs: Under this initiative, the Prime Minister has sanctioned credit support for one lakh entrepreneurs belonging to disadvantaged sections.
  • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (NAP-SE)

Source: pib

Why in News: Recently, India introduced the ‘National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (NAP-SE)’ alongside a booklet addressing snakebite and a poster outlining “Dos” and “Don’ts.”Step out with caution, snake bites on the rise in Bhopal | Bhopal News - Times of India

Overview of the National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (NAP-SE):

  • Framework and Launching Entity: A comprehensive strategy for managing, preventing, and controlling snakebite envenoming in India.
  • Launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
  • Objective: Aims to reduce snakebite-related deaths and disabilities by 50% by 2030, employing a ‘One Health’ approach.

Snakebite Envenoming:

  • A potentially life-threatening condition resulting from venomous snakebites.
  • Manifestations include paralysis, bleeding disorders, kidney failure, and local tissue damage.
  • Recognized as a highest priority Neglected Tropical Disease by WHO in 2017.
  • India accounts for half of the world’s snakebite deaths and is often dubbed the “Snakebite capital of the world.”
  • Majority of snakebites in India are attributed to the ‘Big 4 Crawlers’: Common Krait, Indian Cobra, Russell’s Viper, and Saw Scaled Viper.

Mission and Components:

  • Aims to progressively reduce snakebite-related morbidity, mortality, and complications.
  • Components include human, wildlife, tribal, and animal health aspects.

Implementation:

  • Human health components are already in effect through State and District Nodal Officers under the National Health Mission.
  • Joint monitoring and independent external evaluation of state action plans are conducted.
  • Key Stakeholders: Nodal agencies provide technical and logistic support to states/districts and aid in formalizing state action plans.
  • Guidance Document: Offers guidance for states/Union Territories and stakeholders to develop tailored action plans.

Implementation Mechanisms:

  • States will appoint State and District Nodal Officers.
  • A helpline number ‘15400’ offers immediate assistance to those affected by snakebites.
  • Initial pilot implementation will occur in Puducherry, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, and Delhi.

‘Vocal for Local’ Initiative

Source: pib

Why in News: The ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative was recently launched by NITI Aayog as part of its Aspirational Blocks Programme.NITI Aayog launches 'Vocal for Local' initiative to boost grassroots entrepreneurship - The CSR Journal

About the ‘Vocal for Local’ Initiative:

  • Promoting Self-Reliance: NITI Aayog launched the ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative under its Aspirational Blocks Programme to foster self-reliance and propel sustainable growth and prosperity.
  • Mapping and Branding Local Products: As part of this initiative, products from 500 aspirational blocks have been identified and consolidated under the Aakanksha brand.
  • Aakanksha serves as an overarching brand that can branch out into multiple sub-brands with the potential to access international markets.

Facilitating E-Commerce:

  • To boost these products, a dedicated window has been established on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal under the Aspirational Blocks Programme and branded as Aakanksha.
  • Partners will provide technical and operational support for e-commerce onboarding, establishing linkages, financial and digital literacy, documentation, certification, and skill enhancement.

Key Facts about Government e-Marketplace (GeM):

  • Online Procurement Platform: GeM, launched in 2016 by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, is an online platform facilitating procurement of common use goods and services required by various government departments, organizations, and PSUs.
  • Mandatory Procurement: Purchases made through GeM have been authorized and mandated by the Ministry of Finance under the General Financial Rules, 2017.
  • Ownership and Operation: GeM is owned by GeM SPV, a 100% Government-owned non-profit company under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Key Facts about Aspirational Blocks Programme:

  • Expansion of Aspirational District Programme: Following the model of the Aspirational District Programme launched in 2018 covering 112 districts, the Aspirational Blocks Programme targets improving the performance of blocks lagging on various development parameters.
  • Holistic Development: The programme aims to enable comprehensive development in areas requiring additional support.
  • Geographical Coverage: Initially encompassing 500 districts across 31 states and Union Territories, over half of these blocks are concentrated in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal.
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