Skill India project successfully revives the dying Namda Art of Jammu and Kashmir (GS Paper 3, Economy)
Why in news?
- Recently, the Union Ministry for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship flagged off the first batch of Namda Art products for export to the United Kingdom (UK).
Revival under Skill India’s Pilot Project:
- The Namda craft of Kashmir is being successfully revived under a Skill India’s Pilot Project as part of the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), with nearly 2,200 candidates from across six districts of the state, receiving training in the dying art form.
- Namda project was introduced in 2021.
- The project sets a great example of the public-private partnership (PPP) model in the field of skill development, as it is being implemented in collaboration with local industry partners.
- Under this initiative, nearly 2,200 candidates have been trained in the art of Namda craft, representing a significant milestone in preserving this traditional craft and empowering the local weavers and artisans.
- The project has successfully trained individuals across six districts of Kashmir, namely Srinagar, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Bandipora, Budgam, and Anantnag.
About Namda craft:
- Namda craft is a rug made of sheep wool through felting technique instead of normal weaving process.
- Due to low availability of raw material, lack of skilled manpower and marketing techniques, the export of this craft has declined almost 100 percent between 1998 and 2008.
- Therefore, through this special project under PMKVY, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has designed short-term training curriculum to preserve this endangered craft.
Way Forward:
- The Namda project is an industry-based training program with beneficiaries involved in Namda Crafts Production.
- This will also improve the access of existing artisans of Namda crafts cluster in Kashmir and will improve their prospects of employability.
Govt announces drive for 100% coverage under Ayushman Bharat PM JAY
(GS Paper 2, Health)
Why in news?
- The government is planning to begin a mega enrolment drive under the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY and has urged the states and Union Territories to register 100 per cent of the people eligible under the scheme.
- The drive was announced on the first day of the two-day long Swasthya Chintan Shivir, the 15th Conference of the Central Council of Health and Family Welfare.
Details:
- The union Health minister urged states and UTs to strive for a universal coverage roping in healthcare workers at grassroots level.
- The deliberations at the conclave focused on the implementation of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri-Jan Arogya Yojana and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, and gaps in their coverage, owing to diverse local conditions and digital health literacy in the country.
About Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY:
- Launched in 2018, Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY aims to achieve a universal health coverage with access to free and affordable healthcare services to the people living in the remotest of the areas.
- The scheme aims to provide free and cashless healthcare services up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year to over 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families with the number of beneficiaries running up to more than 53 crore.
- More than 4.34 crore hospital admissions worth more than Rs 51,749.40 crore have been authorised under the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY so far.
