Droupadi Murmu, President of India, was on a two-day visit to Gujarat from September 12 to 13, 2023. During her visit,
- She inaugurated the Gujarat Assembly’s ‘National e-Vidhan Application’ (NeVA) project and addressed the members of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly at Gandhinagar.
- She also virtually launched the Ayushman Bhav initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW) from the Raj Bhavan, Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
President of India Inaugurates NeVA and Addresess the Gujarat Legislative Assembly
President Droupadi Murmu on her 2-days visit to Gujarat, inaugurated the ‘National e-Vidhan Application’ (NeVA) which aims to make the functioning of the State Assembly paperless by transforming them into ‘Digital House’.
- E-Vidhan would enable the Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) to stay connected with their constituents.
Key Points:
i.The integration of the NeVA platform enables assembly members to access and adopt best practices from the Parliament and other legislative bodies across India.
ii.The vision of “One Nation, One Application” would enhance the efficiency and transparency of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly. Additionally, the shift to digital processes is expected to contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing paper usage.
About National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA)
i.National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) is one of the 44 Mission Mode Projects (MMPs) under the “Digital India Programme” of the Government of India (GoI)
ii.It is a work-flow system deployed on the National Information Centre (NIC) Cloud, MeghRaj which helps:
- The Chair of the House to conduct the proceedings of the House smoothly;
- Members to carry out their duties in the House efficiently and
- To conduct Legislative Business of the House in a Paperless manner.
iii.NeVA is a device-neutral and member-centric application created to equip them to handle diverse House Business smartly. NeVA is inspired by the GoI’s visionary concept of ‘One Nation-One Application’.
President Droupadi Murmu Launched Ayushman Bhav Campaign Virtually in Gujarat
On 13th September 2023, President Droupadi Murmu virtually launched the Ayushman Bhav campaign as well as the Ayushman Bhava portal from the Raj Bhavan in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
- The launch of the Ayushman Bhav campaign and the portal marked a significant step towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and ensuring healthcare for all.
- The campaign aims to deliver healthcare services to the last mile and consolidate access and affordability for underserved populations.
Key People:
The launch event was attended by Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister MoH&FW; Bhupendrabhai Patel, Chief Minister (CM) of Gujarat; Bharati Pravin Pawar, and SP Singh Baghel, Ministers of State(MoS) MoH&FW; VK Paul, Member (Health), National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog and other senior officials.
Key Points:
During her address, President Murmu highlighted the principles of “Antyodaya” (good health for all and leaving no one behind) and praised the role played by local governance in this attempt and the significance of Ayushman GPs, the government’s commitment to sustainable development goals (SDGs), and the upcoming Seva Pakwada initiative.
- Seva Pakwada initiative, is set to run from September 17 to October 2, 2023, with an aim to provide essential health services to every citizen, furthering the mission of “antyodaya.”
About Ayushman Bhav:
i.The ‘Ayushman Bhav‘ campaign, launched by the MoH&FW is a pioneering nationwide healthcare initiative designed to achieve complete healthcare coverage, encompassing every village and town in India. It signifies a transformative shift in healthcare service delivery.
Aim: ‘Ayushman Bhav’ aims to create momentum to increase awareness about the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) ID generation, and services related to the screening and management of non-communicable diseases, tuberculosis (TB), and Sickle Cell Disease.
ii.It operates through collaborative efforts led by Gram Panchayats (GPs) in partnership with the Department of Health, various government departments, and local elected bodies in both rural and urban areas.
iii.This initiative ensures the reach of healthcare access to every corner of India.
Components of Ayushman Bhav:
- Apke Dwar 3.0.
- Ayushman Melas at Health and Wellness Centres (HWC) Community Health Clinics (CHC).
- Ayushman Sabhas.
i.By embracing these components, Ayushman Bhav is set to expedite healthcare access at the grassroots, contributing to the realization of a healthier nation.
ii.Under Ayushman Bhav, Health Melas and Medical Camps are an important component that will be set up once a week at all HWCs and CHCs.
President Droupadi Murmu Inaugurates ‘First Global Symposium on Farmers’ Rights’ in New Delhi
On 12th September 2023, President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the First Global Symposium on Farmers’ Rights (GSFR) in an event held at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Convention Centre, National Agricultural Science Centre in New Delhi, Delhi
Organisers and Hosts:
i.The Symposium was organised by the Secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (International Treaty) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Rome.
ii.It was hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) in collaboration with the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPVFR) Authority; ICAR, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), and ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR).
India’s Agro-biodiversity:
i.The president described India, as a mega-diverse country, despite occupying only 2.4% of the world’s land area, but accounts for 7-8% of all recorded species of plants and animals.
ii.In terms of biodiversity, India ranks as one of the nations supplied with the widest range of plants and species, and India’s rich agro-biodiversity isn’t just a national asset; it’s a global treasure.
iii.Over the years, Indian farmers have dedicatedly conserved local plant varieties, domesticated wild species, and nurtured traditional crops.
iv.This wealth of biodiversity serves as the foundation for global crop breeding programs, ensuring food and nutritional security for both humans and animals.
India’s transformation in agriculture to other sectors:
i.Since 1950-51, India has witnessed remarkable growth in the production of various agricultural commodities, and agricultural research and technology have played a pivotal role in this transformation.
ii.These advancements have not been limited to food grains alone but have also impacted horticulture, fisheries, dairy, and poultry sectors, ensuring a well-rounded approach to food security.
Recent Related News:
President of India, Droupadi Murmu, paid a visit to Suriname and Serbia from 4th to 9th June 2023. She visited Paramaribo, Suriname, at the invitation of Chandrikapersad Santokhi, President of the Republic of Suriname, and Serbia at the invitation of Aleksandar Vučić, President of Serbia.
About Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare(MoA&FW):
Union Minister– Narendra Singh Tomar (Constituency- Morena, Madhya Pradesh)
Ministers of State(MoS)– Sushri Shobha Karandlaje; Kailash Choudhary
