Current Affairs - National

The MoU between NIFT Patna and Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited was primarily aimed at empowering Jeevika Didis, who are women associated with self-help groups (SHGs). The collaboration seeks to provide them with specialised training in garment manufacturing, quality control, and machinery operation. Beyond training, the initiative also ensures sustainable livelihood opportunities by linking these women with employment at ABFRL’s upcoming Begusarai unit. By focusing on empowering Jeevika Women, the project aspires to initially benefit around 3.5 lakh women, thereby creating a large-scale impact on women’s economic independence and skill development in Bihar.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the Fast Track Immigration-Trusted Traveller Program through video conferencing at five airports—Lucknow, Thiruvananthapuram, Trichy, Calicut, and Amritsar. This program is designed to make immigration procedures faster, smoother, and more secure for Indian Nationals as well as Overseas Citizens of India (OCI). The initiative builds upon the program earlier launched in Delhi in 2024 and marks a significant step toward modernizing India’s border management system. By reducing wait times and streamlining processes, it improves travel efficiency and strengthens India’s reputation for providing traveler-friendly infrastructure at its airports.

The Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the launch of a daily parcel train running from Badgam in the Kashmir Valley to Adarsh Nagar in Delhi. This initiative is designed to benefit traders, especially fruit and handicraft dealers, by providing a reliable and time-bound logistics solution to expand their reach across India. The Jammu-Srinagar line becoming operational further strengthens connectivity, enabling the transport of goods such as apples efficiently. The service not only boosts trade but also creates better integration of Kashmir with the rest of the country through a consistent supply chain network.

AIIMS New Delhi launched the “Never Alone” program to address the critical issue of student suicides by providing affordable, accessible, and technology-driven mental health support. The program integrates artificial intelligence to offer 24/7 virtual as well as offline consultations with qualified mental health professionals through a user-friendly web-based app that can be accessed on WhatsApp. It also ensures personalised and secure mental health screenings. The affordability of the service, priced at just 70 paise per student per day for institutions with 5,000 students, makes it a scalable and impactful initiative to improve student mental health and reduce risks of self-harm.

Coal India Limited (CIL), in collaboration with the National Scheduled Tribe Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC), signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support the holistic development of tribal students studying in Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS). The initiative focuses on four major areas: digital access, career mentorship, menstrual hygiene management, and teacher capacity building. CIL will provide digital infrastructure such as desktops, UPS systems, and tablets, while also supporting career guidance programs and exposure visits. Additionally, the project includes health interventions like sanitary napkin vending machines and teacher training workshops. This MoU is strategically aligned with the goals of inclusive education, equity, and social empowerment, especially in coal-bearing and tribal-dominated regions.