15-Jun-2023: Indian Navy outreach programme "Julley Ladakh" (Hello Ladakh)
Indian Navy is conducting “Julley Ladakh” (Hello Ladakh), an outreach programme to Ladakh to increase awareness about the service in the pristine state and to engage with youth and civil society there. Towards this a 5000km Motorcycle Expedition was flagged off by V.Adm. Sanjay Jasjit Singh, Vice Chief of Naval Staff, from the National War Memorial on 15 Jun 23. The Navy had previously made similar effort in the North East that was hugely successful. The Indian Navy had also undertaken the Sam No Varunah car expedition to engage with citizens in all the coastal states.
The main objectives of the current initiative in the Northern Territory include: -
- Celebrate Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav (75 years of Indian Independence).
- Conduct Awareness drives at Schools/ Colleges in Ladakh region about the career opportunities Indian Navy offers including the Agnipath Scheme.
- Motivate Youth to join the Indian Navy.
- Showcase Nari Shakti, an initiative of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, by including Women Officers and spouses.
- Interact with naval veterans and Veer Naris in the region.
Outreach activities planned include a Motor Cycle Expedition, passing through a large part of Ladakh, a band concert at City Centre with the famous Navy Band, Medical Camp and a Football Match between the Navy and the Ladakh Football Club.
In his address at the flag off ceremony, V.Adm. SJ Singh, Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, stated that Navy has always promoted adventure activities as these not only serve to inspire personnel to aim higher and achieve better, but also strengthen team-building and camaraderie that are crucial for their performance at sea. He congratulated the Sea Riders for undertaking an expedition aimed at enhancing maritime consciousness and awareness about the Navy in an important part of the country that is distant from the seas but close to our hearts, and wished them a safe and memorable ride on TVS motorcycles. He also thanked TVS Motors Ltd for partnering with the Navy for an important cause and hoped that this would be the first of many such expeditions undertaken under this collaboration.
The Motorcycle Expedition being conducted in partnership with M/s TVS Motors, the reputed manufacturer of two and three-wheelers, with a legacy rooted over 100 years, and aims to cover large parts of Ladakh region on TVS Apache RTR and RR 310. The first phase of the expedition was flagged off from New Delhi today15 Jun and will reach Leh on 28 Jun passing through the states of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir.
Mr. Vimal Sumbly, Head Business – Premium, TVS Motor Company said, “We are extremely proud and humbled to be associating with the Indian Navy as part of their Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations. TVS Motor has always strived to push the boundaries of innovation and adventure, and this collaboration with the esteemed Indian Navy aligns perfectly with our vision. This collaboration symbolises our commitment to excellence, as we partner with the esteemed Indian Navy to embark on this thrilling journey that showcases the prowess of the TVS Apache motorcycles in diverse and challenging terrains. This expedition is a testament to our shared values of courage, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. We look forward to this extraordinary adventure and wish the officers good luck for their journey.”
A total of 35 Indian Navy personnel, including Officers, sailors, and family members are participating in this Motorcycle Expedition covering about 5000 kms, traversing through remote areas and tough terrains of Ladakh. They will interact with the students of schools and colleges enroute, and also pay homage to the brave hearts at the Kargil War Memorial and those of the 1962 battle of Rezang La.
25-May-2023: Two-day National workshop on National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) concludes
The second day of the two-days National Workshop commenced with presentations from representatives of top tech companies informing the delegates about the developments in the field of emerging technologies for enabling good governance representing Microsoft, IBM and Google Inc, for making National e- Vidhan Application (NeVA) more accessible, discoverable, insightful by use of Generative Artificial Intelligence models. Shri Gudey Srinivas, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs urged to those states who are already on-boarded NeVA, to keep pace with the emerging technologies to provide good governance.
This was followed by presentation by technical team about the 17 modules of NeVA which have already been implemented. Thereafter, the House was opened for Question & Answer session to resolve any doubts and issues arising out of implementation of the NeVA project in which delegates participated enthusiastically. Secretary, MoPA and Additional Secretary, MoPA replied to all points raised.
24-Mar-2023: Initiatives for health systems strengthening in Aspirational Districts
Govt. of India has identified 112 Aspirational Districts based on their performance in 49 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) across five themes namely Health & Nutrition, Education, Agriculture & Water Resources, Financial Inclusion & Skill Development and Basic Infrastructure.
As per established norms, in rural areas a Sub Health Centre for a population of 5,000 (in plain) and 3000 (in hilly and tribal area), a Primary Health Centre for a population of 30,000 (in plains) and 20,000 (in hilly and tribal areas) and Community Health Centre for a population of 1,20,000 (in plain) and 80,000 (in hilly and tribal area) is suggested. Further, First Referral Unit, Sub-District Hospital (SDH) and District Hospital (DH) provide secondary care services for rural & urban area including backward areas.
Rural Health Statistics (RHS) is an annual publication, based on Health care administrative data reported by States/UTs. Details of State/UT-wise number of Sub-Centres, PHCs, CHCs, Sub-Divisional Hospital, District Hospital & Medical Colleges functioning in rural areas including backward areas may be seen at the following link of RHS 2021-22: https://main.mohfw.gov.in/sites/default/files/RHS%202021%2022.pdf
The Government reviews functionality of the health centers as well as implementation of various health programs in each State including the Aspirational District areas through Central and State level monitoring mechanisms. From Central level, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare undertakes Common Review Mission (CRM) to review the progress of National Health Mission (NHM) implementation. In addition to this, Health Management Information System (HMIS) data is updated by States which is available disaggregated up-to-the facility level. Similarly, aspirational district evaluation is also done by NITI Aayog based on the set indicators.
The reports of the CRM and performance evaluation of healthcare facilities, year-wise, from 2014 onwards can be accessed from the link https://nhsrcindia.org/php-crm-reports .
Similarly, Aspirational district annual report can be accessed from the link https://www.niti.gov.in/annual-reports
National Health Mission (NHM) envisages achievement of universal access to equitable, affordable & quality health care services that are accountable and responsive to people’s needs. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare provides technical and financial support to the States/UTs to strengthen the public healthcare system, based on the proposals received in the form of Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs). Government of India provides approval for the proposals in the form of Record of Proceedings (RoPs) as per norms & available resources.
XV-Finance Commission Health Grants through Local Government announced as part of Union Budget 2021-22, for strengthening the healthcare system at primary healthcare level, has recommended grants aggregating to Rs. 70,051 crores over the period of five years (2021-2026).
PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) with an outlay of Rs. 64,180 Crores aims to fill critical gaps in public health infrastructure. The Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) Components includes support for infrastructure development for Sub-Health Centres, Urban Health and Wellness Centres, Block Public Health Units, Integrated District Public Health Laboratories and Critical Care Hospital Blocks.
Under NHM, following types of incentives and honorarium are provided for encouraging Health Specialists to practice in different regions of the country including rural and remote areas of the country:
- Hard area allowance to specialist doctors for serving in rural and remote areas and for their residential quarters.
- Honorarium to Gynecologists/ Emergency Obstetric Care (EmoC) trained, Pediatricians & Anesthetist/ Life Saving Anaesthesia Skills (LSAS) trained doctors.
- Incentives like special incentives for doctors, incentive for ANM for ensuring timely ANC checkup and recording, incentives for conducting Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health activities.
- States are also allowed to offer negotiable salary to attract specialist including flexibility in strategies such as “You Quote We Pay”.
- Non-Monetary incentives such as preferential admission in post graduate courses for staff serving in difficult areas and improving accommodation arrangement in rural areas have also been introduced under NHM.
- Multi-skilling of doctors is supported under NHM to overcome the shortage of specialists.