On January 11, 2020 Union Minister for Women and Child Development and Textiles, Smriti Zubin Irani launched Yashaswini scheme for Women entrepreneurship at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee stadium in Taleigao town near Panaji district of Goa. Swasthya Sakhi Project and breast cancer screening initiative were also inaugurated on the occasion.Yashaswini Scheme:
i.Under this scheme, interest free loans up to Rs. 5 lakhs with a tenure of 5 years will be given to women self-help groups by the state government of Goa.
ii.The loan amount will be paid in four installments and repayment of the loan starts from the second year.
iii.Adarsha Satari Mahila Mandal Guleli in Sattari district of North-Goa, Umang Self-Help Group, Salcete region of South-Goa, Phoenix Women’s Wing Self-Help Group Valpoi in Sattari district of North-Goa were given loans under Yashaswini scheme.
Breast Cancer screening initiative:
Under this initiative, women will be screened for breast cancer by the healthcare workers of the state by which healthcare services will be reached out in rural areas of the state. Nearly 20,000 women in the state will be screened under this initiative.
Swasthya Sakhi Project:
i.Under this Project a diagnostic kit is given to the healthcare workers which helps them to conduct basic diagnostic tests for People in the state at their doorsteps.
ii.The diagnostic kit is developed by the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI)along with Procter and Gamble to manufacture and supply the kits using corporate social responsibility (CSR) fund.
iii.It contains an interface unit, a tablet and the peripheral bag which contains necessary equipment to test blood pressure, blood sugar, blood haemoglobin and heart rate.
About Goa:
Chief Minister- Pramod Sawant
Governor- Satya Pal Malik
State Animal- Gaur
State Bird- Yellow throated bulbul
State Tree- Terminalia elliptica
State Flower- Jasmine