Current Affairs - National

The Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) has issued 1.4 million Ayushman Vay Vandana cards to senior citizens aged 70 and above as of November 25, 2024. This initiative aims to enhance healthcare access for vulnerable elderly populations, ensuring they receive comprehensive medical coverage. It reflects the government's commitment to the welfare and health security of senior citizens through targeted interventions.

The Prime Minister will launch the ‘Bima Sakhi Yojana’ on 9th December in Panipat, Haryana. This initiative focuses on empowering women by enabling them to work as LIC agents and promoting financial independence and employment. Haryana has a history of hosting women-centric programs, including the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ campaign launched in Panipat in 2015. This scheme aligns with the state's legacy of championing women’s rights and reflects the government’s commitment to inclusive growth and economic empowerment of women.

The government has approved nine One Stop Centres (OSCs) to support distressed Indian women abroad. These include shelter homes in six Gulf nations and non-shelter OSCs in Toronto and Singapore. Supported by the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF), these centres aim to provide comprehensive assistance, including legal, medical, and emergency aid, under revised guidelines from 2017. This initiative underscores the government's commitment to the welfare of overseas Indian women.

The 12th Edition of the International Tourism Mart (ITM) 2024 was held in Kaziranga, Assam, starting November 27. The event focused on showcasing the tourism potential of Northeast India, emphasizing its cultural, natural, and biodiversity-rich offerings. The ITM serves as an important platform for both domestic and international audiences, and it facilitates collaboration among tourism professionals, media, and government agencies. The event was inaugurated by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, with key regional leaders attending, including Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma.

Cyclone Fengal, originating as a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal, is expected to make landfall between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram on November 30. IMD and ISRO are on high alert, monitoring the system, which is predicted to bring strong winds of up to 75 kmph and heavy rainfall across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Alerts have been issued for several districts, and safety measures, including rescue operations and school closures, are in place. Cyclone Fengal is the third storm of the 2024 North Indian Ocean cyclone season, emphasizing the region's vulnerability to such natural disasters.