Current Affairs - National

The ‘Namo Drone Didi’ scheme is designed to empower Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) by equipping them with drones for agricultural use. Part of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), this initiative provides 80% financial assistance and training for SHGs, enabling women to offer drone-based services for spraying fertilizers and pesticides, which improves crop yield and efficiency. Targeting 14,500 SHGs, the scheme not only supports agricultural productivity but also creates sustainable income opportunities for women, aligning with the government’s commitment to women’s empowerment in rural areas.

New Delhi, the capital city of India, has taken a significant step in raising awareness about dyslexia through the 'Act4Dyslexia' campaign. Iconic landmarks such as Rashtrapati Bhawan, Parliament House, North and South Blocks, and India Gate have been illuminated in red, symbolizing support for individuals with dyslexia. This initiative aims to dispel common misconceptions about dyslexia, emphasizing that it is not related to intelligence, hearing, or vision impairments. By shedding light on this learning disorder, the campaign seeks to promote inclusivity and understanding for those affected by dyslexia.

The Indian Sign Language (ISL) dictionary has been significantly expanded with the addition of 2,500 new terms, encompassing words in both English and Hindi. This development aims to enhance communication accessibility for the deaf community, particularly in scientific, cultural, and internet-related contexts. The updated dictionary includes contemporary terms such as Aadhaar card and Blockchain. The Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC) led this initiative, underscoring the government's commitment to promoting ISL as a recognized linguistic system and ensuring inclusive education and social empowerment for the deaf community.

The Civil Registration System (CRS) mobile app, launched by Home Minister Amit Shah, aims to simplify birth and death registration, providing access to local languages and digital certificates. Effective from October 1, 2023, these digital certificates facilitate access to essential services like education, employment, and marriage. Moreover, the centralized database will aid in updating vital records, including the National Population Register, ration cards, property registration, and electoral rolls, ensuring efficient and streamlined registration processes.

The "Sanjeevani" heli ambulance service, launched by the Prime Minister and operated by AIIMS Rishikesh, is India’s first aerial ambulance aimed at enhancing emergency medical response. Inaugurated on Dhanvantari Jayanti, it enables rapid access to medical care for people in Uttarakhand's remote areas, significantly improving survival rates in critical situations like heart attacks and accidents. This initiative represents a vital step in extending lifesaving support to regions with limited ground-based healthcare facilities, reflecting the government’s focus on accessible healthcare innovations.