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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
