• 13 Mar 2024

Haryana’s First ‘Drone Didis’

Why in News?

Recently, Sharmila and Himanshi, have become Haryana’s first ‘Drone Didis’. They inspire other women and girls while empowering rural communities through their contribution to agriculture.

Key Points

• Drone Didis initiative was launched by the PM on November 30, 2023 after his interaction with women beneficiaries of the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra.
• It aims to provide drones to 15,000 women Self Help Groups (SHGs) in the next two years to be rented out to farmers for agricultural purposes.
  • The women beneficiaries are trained to become drone pilots under the initiative.
  • The trained women drone pilots will help farmers in various agricultural operations like fertiliser spraying, sowing seeds and crop monitoring. This will help rural women generate income by utilising their skills.
  • The initiative intends to modernise Indian agricultural practices and enhance productivity by placing cutting-edge technology at the disposal of rural women.
• The scheme will cover 15,000 women SHGs, to be identified from among 89 lakh SHGs formed under the Centre’s Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana, and will provide them a sustainable business model and livelihood support.
• The Centre will provide each SHG identified a subsidy up to 80% towards the cost of a drone or a maximum of Rs 8 lakh. It is expected to generate an additional income of about Rs 1 lakh per head for them.

Self-Help Groups (SHGs)

• These are informal associations of people who choose to come together to find ways to improve their living conditions.
• The genesis of SHG in India can be traced to the formation of the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) in 1970.
• The SHG Bank Linkage Project launched by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) in 1992 has blossomed into the world’s largest microfinance project.
• NABARD alongwith RBI permitted SHGs to have a savings account in banks from the year of 1993. This action gave a considerable boost to the SHG movement and paved the way for the SHG-Bank linkage program.
• In 1999, Government of India, introduced Swarn Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) to promote self-employment in rural areas through formation and skilling of SHGs.
• The programme evolved as a national movement in 2011 and became National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) – world’s largest poverty alleviation programme.
• Today, State Rural Livelihood Missions (SRLMs) are operational in 29 states and 5 UTs (except Delhi and Chandigarh).
• NRLM facilitated universal access to the affordable cost-effective reliable financial services to the poor like financial literacy, bank account, savings, credit, insurance, remittance, pension and counselling on financial services.

Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Livelihoods Mission (NRLM)

• It was launched by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of India in 2011.
• The Mission aims at creating efficient and effective institutional platforms for the rural poor enabling them to increase household income through sustainable livelihood enhancements and improved access to financial services.
• It lays special emphasis on targeting the poorest of the poor and the most vulnerable communities and their financial inclusion.
• It provides for mutually beneficial working relationships and formal platforms for consultations between Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Community Based Organisations (CBOs).

PM Inaugurates Dwarka Expressway in Haryana

Why in News?

Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Haryana segment of the first-ever 8-lane section of the Dwarka Expressway.

Key Points

• This newly constructed 19 km stretch, completed at a cost of Rs 4,100 crore, is designed to enhance traffic flow and alleviate congestion on National Highway (NH)-48, providing smoother connectivity between Delhi and Gurugram.
  • The inaugurated segment covers a distance of 10.2 km from the Delhi-Haryana Border to Basai Rail-over-Bridge (ROB) and an additional 8.7 km section from Basai ROB to Kherki Daula.
• This roadway establishes a direct link between the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi and the Gurugram Bypass.
• Key things about Dwarka Expressway:
  • The Dwarka Expressway, designed with a budget of Rs 9,000 crore, is segmented into four parts.
  • Gurugram houses the third and fourth sections, covering approximately 19 km, while the first two segments, totaling 10 km, are situated in Delhi.
  • It stands out as a fully access-controlled, grade-separated 14-lane Expressway, marking a pioneering initiative in the country.
  • According to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) the entire project is set to conclude by August 2024.

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)

• It was set up under NHAI Act, 1988. It is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
• It has been entrusted with the National Highways Development Project, along with other minor projects for development, maintenance and management.
  • National Highways Development Project (NHDP) is a project to upgrade, rehabilitate and widen major highways in India to a higher standard. The project was started in 1998.
• NHAI maintains the National Highways network to global standards and cost effective manner and promotes economic well being and quality of life of the people.

Jharkhand Gets Third Vande Bharat Express

Why in News?

Recently, the PM inaugurated the third Vande Bharat Express train, which will operate between Jharkhand’s capital Ranchi and Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi.

Key Points

• The semi-high-speed train was flagged off by the PM virtually from Ahmedabad along with the unveiling of several other railway projects in and across the country.
• According to the governor Rs 350 crore projects are underway in the state for the beautification and setting up of different facilities at the Ranchi station.
  • The state’s first Vande Bharat Express started on the Ranchi-Patna route, which was flagged off on June 27, 2023.
  • The second Vande Bharat Express between Ranchi and Howrah was flagged off on September 24 2023.
• The PM also inaugurated the Ranchi-Bondamunda railway line and stalls under the ‘One Station One Product’ scheme at Ranchi, Hatia, Govindpur Road, Itki, Muri, Piska, Silli, Tangarbasuli, Tatisilwai stations, Barkakana, Ranchi Road and Pradhan Khanta stations.

One Station One Product Scheme

• It is an initiative by the Indian Railways, under the Ministry of Railways.
• It was launched with a vision to promote ‘Vocal for Local’ on March 25, 2022.
• It provides uniquely designed sale outlets for locals to sell indigenous products nationwide.
• This scheme is designed by the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad.
• It aims to build each railway station as a promotional hub and showcasing local and indigenous manufacturing products.

Vande Bharat Trains

• It is an indigenously designed and manufactured semi high speed, self-propelled train that is touted as the next major leap for the Indian Railways in terms of speed and passenger convenience since the introduction of Rajdhani trains.
• The first Vande Bharat was manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai as part of the ‘Make in India’ programme, at a cost of about Rs. 100 crore.
• The Vande Bharat was India’s first attempt at adaptation of the train set technology compared with conventional systems of passenger coaches hauled by separate locomotives.
• The train set configuration, though complex, is faster, easier to maintain, consumes less energy, and has greater flexibility in train operation.

New Vande Bharat Express in Bihar

Why in News?

Recently, the Prime Minister unveiled multiple railway projects in the state along with two new Vande Bharat Express trains.

Key Points

• These were among the projects worth Rs 85,000 crore unveiled by the PM through video conference from Ahmedabad.
• The two new Vande Bharat Express trains will be operated on the Patna-Gomti Nagar and Patna-New Jalpaiguri routes.
  • The Patna-Gomti Nagar Vande Bharat will have halts at the pilgrim towns of Varanasi and Ayodhya Dham, while a third Vande Bharat, which was also flagged off, will stop at Gaya on the way to Varanasi from Ranchi.
• The PM laid the foundation stone of a washing pit cum coaching complex at Narkatiaganj.
• He inaugurated:
  • The Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor's New Chiraila Pauthu-New Son Nagar-New Deen Dayal Upadhyaya (DDU) section.
  • Gati Shakti cargo terminals, Jan Aushadhi drug stores at Patna and Darbhanga, goods sheds and washing pit lines at Arrah and Muzaffarpur.
  • 'One Station One Product' outlets which would promote local small farmers and artisans.

Uttarakhand Announces Subsidy For Employment-Oriented Industries

Why in News?

Recently, the Uttarakhand government decided to give a subsidy of up to Rs 100 crore for setting up employment-oriented industries like hospitals, schools, hotels, film cities across the state.

Key Points

• According to the sources, the minimum investment limit in the hilly areas has been kept at Rs 50 crore and Rs 100 crore for the plains.
  • The industrial institutions to be established under this policy will be given a subsidy of 25 % of the total cost or a maximum of Rs 100 crore.
  • The subsidy will be given in five phases after the completion of the project.
  • This policy will remain in force in the state till December 31, 2030.
• Under the Atal Ayushman Yojana, 100% medical reimbursement has been approved for availing dialysis.
• The cabinet has also approved the operation of the Cancer Hospital in Harrawala and the Mother-Child Medical Institute through the Public Private Partnership (PPP).
• Under the Higher Education Department, approval has been given to provide a scholarship of Rs 5000 per month to 100 meritorious students doing PhD.

Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri — Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY)

• It is the world’s largest health insurance scheme fully financed by the government.
• Launched in February 2018, it offers a sum insured of Rs.5 lakh per family for secondary care and tertiary care.
  • Health Benefit Packages covers surgery, medical and day care treatments, cost of medicines and diagnostics.

Tejas Crashes Near Jaisalmer in Rajasthan

Why in News?

Recently, a light combat aircraft Tejas crashed near Jaisalmer in Rajasthan during an operational training sortie. It is the first such incident involving the indigenously-built jet.

• The pilot was ejected safely and no casualties were reported.

Key Points

• The crash took place around 100 km from the Pokhran desert where a mega war game 'Bharat Shakti' witnessed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and top military brass was underway.
  • Military sources indicated that the Tejas jet was to be part of the exercise.
• The Tejas aircraft is a potent platform for air combat and offensive air support missions while reconnaissance and anti-ship operations are its secondary roles.
• It is manufactured by state-run aerospace behemoth Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).
• In February 2021, the defence ministry sealed a Rs 48,000 crore deal with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd for the procurement of 83 Tejas MK-1A jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Bharat Shakti

• It is a significant tri-Service exercise showcasing firepower by the Army, Air Force, and Navy.
• In the exercise named Bharat-Shakti at Pokhran Field Firing Range.
• Only indigenously developed weapon platforms and systems are included in this exercise.
• Top officers of the three forces including CDS General Anil Chauhan participated in the exercise.
• The concept of self-reliant India was seen during this exercise.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)

• It is an Indian public sector aerospace and defence company, headquartered in Bangalore.
• Established on 23 December 1940, HAL is one of the oldest and largest aerospace and defence manufacturers in the world.
• It is governed under the management of the Ministry of Defence.