Current Affairs - National

The Australian High Commissioner to India, Philip Green, visited Arunachal Pradesh and met with the state's Chief Minister, Pema Khandu, in Itanagar on October 6, 2024. The focus of the visit was to explore ways to equip local youth with world-class skills, enhancing their employability and providing better job opportunities. This collaboration emphasizes Australia's commitment to supporting skill development and training initiatives in the region, strengthening bilateral ties between India and Australia.

The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) was launched in September 2018 as a flagship scheme of the Indian government, aiming to provide health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization. This initiative targets India’s bottom 40% poor and vulnerable population, offering cashless treatment in both public and private empanelled hospitals. The scheme ensures that beneficiaries receive an e-card for seamless access to healthcare services, with eligibility determined by various socio-economic criteria, enhancing healthcare access and financial protection for those in need.

The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) was launched in 2013 by the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs in India. This mission aims to provide sustainable livelihood opportunities to the urban poor by focusing on skill development and entrepreneurship. It specifically targets six groups, including construction workers, gig workers, waste management workers, care workers, domestic workers, and transportation workers. The program has successfully mobilized millions of urban poor women and formed numerous Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across various towns in India, highlighting its significance in enhancing the livelihoods of vulnerable urban populations.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will lead India's delegation to Pakistan for the SCO Heads of Government meeting, marking the first visit by an Indian EAM since 2015. The visit is focused on regional cooperation, with no bilateral meetings planned. This meeting is significant as it comes at a tense time in India-Pakistan relations, which have been strained since 2019. The SCO meeting provides a platform for regional cooperation, and India's participation underscores its commitment to the organization. Jaishankar's visit is a follow-up to Pakistan's invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the SCO summit.

The Global Summit on 'Spirituality for Clean and Healthy Society' was organized by Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya at Mount Abu, Rajasthan. During the summit, President Droupadi Murmu emphasized the importance of spirituality in cultivating inner strength, and purity in thoughts, and actions for achieving societal peace and harmony. The location, Mount Abu, is a significant spiritual hub, further aligning with the summit's focus on integrating spirituality with societal well-being.