Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK)
20-Feb-2017: ‘SAATHIYA’ Resource Kit for Adolescents
Government has launched the SAATHIYA Resource Kit including ‘Saathiya Salah’ Mobile App for adolescents as part of the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) program.
One of the key interventions under the programme is introduction of the Peer Educators (Saathiyas) who act as a catalyst for generating demand for the adolescent health services and imparting age appropriate knowledge on key adolescent health issues to their peer groups. In order to equip the Saathiyas in doing so, the Health Ministry has launched the Saathiya Resource Kit (including ‘Saathiya Salah’ Mobile App).
Our country is home to 253 million adolescents which is largest in the world in terms of absolute numbers and when RMNCH programs were launched globally, India was the first country to add the ‘+A’ i.e. adolescent component to the RMNCH, making it today’s RMNCH+A program. Adolescents are the critical mass of asset which in future would be the biggest dividends to the country’s economy; thereby their health and wellness are of utmost priority. To address and cater to the health and development needs of the country’s adolescents, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) in January 2014. RKSK identifies six strategic priorities for adolescents i.e. nutrition, sexual and reproductive health (SRH), non-communicable diseases (NCDs), substance misuse, injuries and violence (including gender-based violence) and mental health.
Food Legumes Research Platform (FLRP)
15-Feb-2017: Cabinet approves Establishment of Food Legumes Research Platform (FLRP) at Amlaha, Madhya Pradesh
The Union Cabinet has approved:
- Establishment of Food Legumes Research Platform (FLRP) at Amlaha, Sehore, Madhya Pradesh with Satellite Hubs in West Bengal (for pulses) and Rajasthan (for Natural Resource Management) by ICARDA in the second phase; by International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA);
- Signing of lease deed with State Government of Madhya Pradesh for the land provided by them (70.99 hectares, 175.42 acre) at Amlaha Farm, Sehore on land rent of Rs. 1 per acre per year for 30 years on lease and to further lease it to ICARDA to establish the FLRP at Madhya Pradesh;
- ‘In principle’ approval of the Cabinet for conferring on the Food Legume Research Platform of ICARDA an international status as contemplated in Clause 3 of the United Nations (Privileges and Immunities) Act, 1947.
- Authorizing the Department of Agricultural Research (DARE) on behalf of Government of India in all matters regarding establishment of the Platform.
- Authorizing the Ministry of Agriculture to carry out technical modifications in the Supplementary Agreement signed between ICAR and ICARDA relating to establishment of FLRP, if required.
The establishment of FLRP in India will enable India to harness the best of international science in meeting the emerging food security challenges. India would be able to rapidly and effectively absorb the research output achieved in the country by FLRP. A major international R&D institution will make India an even bigger center for agricultural research in the world and this in turn, will attract further research & development investment in the country.
This is a research set up by an international organization. ICARDA has a good track record of innovation, as in climate resilient technologies including suitable food legume varieties for dry-land production systems. ICARDA will carry out research through a multi-disciplinary team of scientists for enhancing productivity of crops range-land and livestock. This platform will contribute significantly towards reducing poverty, improving food security, improving nutrition and health, and sustaining the natural resource base.
The research output would benefit farmers of all regions, whether big, small or marginal; and as technologies developed would be eligible for use by all farmers, the project is equitable and inclusive.
Mission XI Million
1-Aug-2017: Preparations for the FIFA U-17 World Cup scheduled to be held from 6th to 28th October 2017.
The Minister of State (I/C) for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Vijay Goel said in the Rajya Sabha today the preparations for the FIFA U-17 World Cup scheduled to be held from 6th to 28th October, 2017 at six venues viz., New Delhi, Navi Mumbai, Kolkata, Kochi, Guwahati and Goa is progressing as per the plans and in terms of core infrastructure, almost 90% of all the requirements are already in place.
In a written reply he said, Mission XI Million is a joint programme, of this Ministry, All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Federation International de Football Association (FIFA) to popularise football across the country. The programme targets to reach 11 Million boys and girls across the country for promotion of football by 30th September 2017. Government of India has allocated around Rs.12.55 crores towards the said programme and an equal amount will be spent by AIFF/ FIFA. Around 6 Million children have already been covered under the said programme. The allocated resources are sufficient to cover 11 Million students, parents, and coaches as part of Mission XI Million Programme to popularize football in the country.
10-Feb-2017: Mission XI Million, the biggest school sports outreach programme in the country launched.
Driven by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi´s vision of making football the sport of choice in India, Mission XI Million, the biggest school sport outreach programme was launched.
A first of its kind, the programme will encourage children to play the beautiful game of football, gain healthy habits and learn important life lessons in teamwork and sportsman spirit. The approach is to work with school principals and sports teachers and encourage and incentivize them to make children play football games on regular basis.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has made many bold strides towards developing a sporting culture in the country. Projects like Khelo India are helping towards developing sport at the ground level while our TOPS scheme and Olympic Task forces look to help our elite athletes bring glory to India in the international arena. And with the FIFA U-17 World Cup being held in India in October this year, we are building our infrastructure and showcasing our ability to organize and execute global sporting events.
Mission XI Million is a massive school engagement programme for football. Designed with international sporting expertise, but keeping in mind the ground realities of our huge and varied country, it aims to instill the passion for football in 11 million children from every part of the country. Every child should have the opportunity to play the world’s most popular sport. To make that happen, schools and parents must be equally involved in children’s physical wellbeing.
The program will be rolled out in every state of the country, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari from Kutch to Imphal.