Haryana

• 06 Feb 2025

Garbhini-Drishti

Why in News? 

India took a major step forward in its commitment to cutting-edge biomedical research and innovation by inaugurating the nation’s first Ferret Research Facility, launching the GARBH-INi-DRISHTI data repository, and finalizing a key technology transfer agreement. 

• The event was held at the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) in the NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana. 

 Key Points 

• THSTI Ferret Research Facility: 
  • India inaugurated the THSTI Ferret Research Facility, a state-of-the-art establishment adhering to the highest biosafety and research standards. 
  • The facility plays a crucial role in vaccine development, therapeutic testing, and research on emerging infectious diseases. 
  • It strengthens India's pandemic preparedness strategy and enhances its position in global scientific research. 
• GARBH-INi-DRISHTI: 
  • GARBH-INi-DRISHTI is a pioneering DBT Data Repository and Information Sharing Hub at THSTI. 
  • The platform provides clinical data, images, and biospecimens from over 12,000 pregnant women, newborns, and postpartum mothers. 
    • As one of South Asia's largest maternal and child health databases, it enables researchers to conduct transformative studies to improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes. 
  • This initiative represents a collaborative effort among India's leading research institutions and hospitals, fostering a strong research ecosystem. 
• Technology Transfer Agreement: 
  • THSTI signed a Technology Transfer Agreement with M/s Sundyota Numandis Probioceuticals Pvt. Ltd. to commercialize its innovative microbial consortium, Lactobacillus crispatus. 
    • Isolated from the reproductive tracts of women enrolled in the GARBH-INi cohort, this synthetic microbial consortium holds immense potential for nutraceutical applications. 
  • The agreement facilitates the translation of research into real-world health solutions through targeted microbiome-based interventions. 

 Garbh-Ini 

• Garbh-Ini (Interdisciplinary Group for Advanced Research on Birth Outcomes—DBT India Initiative) was initiated by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), in 2014 as a collaborative interdisciplinary program. 
• This program is led by Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), NCR Biotech cluster, Faridabad. 
• It aims to elucidate biological and non-biological risks of preterm birth (PTB) to create important knowledge-driven interventions and technologies that can be sustainably implemented in clinical practice and in the community for this disease. 

Mahri Laado Radio Programme

Why in News? 

The Haryana government launched the flagship initiative "Mahri Laado" Radio Programme, which has become an exemplary success story under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme. 

 Key Points 

• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme:  
  • The Government of India launched the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme on 22^nd January 2015 in Panipat, Haryana. 
  • This initiative aims to address the declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and ensure that girls and women receive equal opportunities, care, and dignity. 
  • Objectives of the BBBP Scheme: 
    • Increase sex ratio at birth through awareness and interventions. 
    • Improve institutional deliveries for maternal and child health. 
    • Enhance girls' enrolment in secondary education and curb dropout rates. 
    • Encourage early Antenatal Care (ANC) registration for maternal well-being. 
    • Promote awareness on safe Menstrual Hygiene and Management (MHM). 
• Mahri Laado Radio Programme: 
  • It was launched on 16^th August 2024 as a key initiative under BBBP. 
  • This community-driven programme aims to address gender inequality, empower girls, and promote the value of daughters in Haryana. 
  • Broadcast Schedule: Every Wednesday and Thursday on All India Radio (AIR) stations- Chandigarh, Hisar, Rohtak, and Kurukshetra. 
  • Content Format: The 15-minute segments include stories, interviews, and discussions to engage communities on gender equality and empowerment. 
• Mobilization Strategies for Maximum Outreach: 
  • The Government of Haryana adopted a comprehensive approach to extend the programme’s reach. 
  • Key stakeholders mobilized communities: 
    • District Programme Officers (DPOs) and Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs). 
    • Anganwadi Workers and staff from One Stop Centers (OSCs), Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), and POSHAN Abhiyaan. 
    • Listening sessions were organized at Anganwadi Centers (AWCs), involving both men and women in discussions. 
• Digital Accessibility: 
  • Participants were encouraged to download the "News on AIR" app for easy access. 
  • Guidelines on app usage were shared via WhatsApp, telephone, and email. 

 Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) 

• It is a maternity benefit programme being implemented in all districts of the country with effect from 1^st January, 2017. 
• It is a centrally sponsored scheme being executed by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. 
• Cash benefits are provided to pregnant women in their bank account directly to meet enhanced nutritional needs and partially compensate for wage loss. 

 Poshan Abhiyan 

• POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission) was launched by the government on March 8, 2018. 
• The Abhiyaan targets to reduce stunting, undernutrition, anemia (among young children, women and adolescent girls) and reduce low birth weight by 2%, 2%, 3% and 2% per annum respectively. 
• The target of the mission is to bring down stunting among children in the age group 0-6 years from 38.4% to 25% by 2022. 
• POSHAN 2.0: 
  • The government has amalgamated various programmes with similar objectives such as Supplementary Nutrition Programme and POSHAN Abhiyaan under one umbrella–Mission POSHAN 2.0—for creating synergies in operations and adopting an integrated approach in the nutrition services mechanism.