AI Chatbot for PM-KISAN Scheme launched (GS Paper 3, Science and Technology)
Why in news?
- Recently, the Union Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, launched AI Chatbot for the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme at New Delhi.
- The AI Chatbot launch marks a significant step towards enhancing the efficiency and reach of the PM-KISAN scheme, and also providing farmers prompt, clear, and accurate responses to their queries.
Details:
- The AI Chatbot acts as a comprehensive guide for the beneficiaries, providing them with timely and accurate responses to their queries related to the scheme.
- This is the first AI Chatbot integrated with a major flagship scheme of the Union government.
- It has been developed and improved with the support of EKstep foundation and Bhashini.
Key Highlights:
- The introduction of the AI chatbot in the PM-KISAN grievance management system is aimed at empowering farmers with a user-friendly and accessible platform.
- In its first phase of development, the AI chatbot will assist farmers in seeking information related to their application status, payment details, ineligibility status, and other scheme-related updates.
- The AI Chatbot, accessible through the PM KISAN mobile app, is integrated with Bhashini, which offers multilingual support, catering to the linguistic and regional diversity of the PM KISAN beneficiaries.
- This integration of advanced technology will not only enhance transparency but will also empower farmers to make informed decisions.
- Currently, the Chatbot is available in English, Hindi, Bengali, Odia and Tamil. In a short period, it will be available in all 22 languages of the country.
Background
- The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) is a central sector scheme launched in February 2019 to support the financial needs of land-holding farmers in India.
- The scheme offers an annual financial benefit of Rs 6,000/- in three equal instalments to eligible farmers’ families through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.
- Since its inception, over Rs. 2.61 Lakhs Crores disbursed to more than 11 Crore farmers so far, it stands as one of the largest DBT schemes globally.
e-KYC feature:
- Government of India has also developed a mobile app with the feature of face authentication-based e-KYC. This app is first mobile app that use face authentication-based e-KYC feature in any benefit scheme of the Government.
- Not only this, but they can also assist 100 other farmers in their neighbourhood to complete e-KYC at their doorstep.
- In addition, the Government of India has also extended the facility for completing e-KYC of farmers to State Government officials, allowing each official to do e-KYC for 500 farmers.
Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar
(GS Paper 3, Science and Technology)
Why in news?
- The Government of India has come out with a new set of National Awards in the field of Science, Technology and Innovation known as “Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar’’.
Objective:
- The objective of the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) is to recognize the notable and inspiring contribution made by the scientists, technologists, and innovators individually or in teams in various fields of science, technology and technology led innovation.
Eligibility criteria:
- The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar shall be one of the highest recognitions in the field of science, technology, and innovation in India.
- Scientists/ technologists/innovators working in government, private sector organizations or any individual working outside any organization, who have made distinguished contributions in terms of path-breaking research or innovation or discovery in any field of science, technology, or technology- led innovation shall be eligible for the awards.
- People of Indian Origin staying abroad with exceptional contributions benefiting the Indian communities or society shall also be eligible for the awards.
Categories:
The awards shall be given in following four categories:-
- Vigyan Ratna (VR) award will recognize lifetime achievements & contributions made in any field of science and technology.
- Vigyan Shri (VS) award will recognize distinguished contributions in any field of science and technology.
- Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB) award will recognize & encourage young scientists up to the age of 45 years who made an exceptional contribution in any field of science and technology.
- Vigyan Team (VT) award to be given to a team comprising of three or more scientists/researchers/innovators who have made an exceptional contribution working in a team in any field of science and technology.
Domains:
- The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar shall be given in the 13 domains, namely Physics, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Mathematics & Computer Science, Earth Science, Medicine, Engineering Sciences, Agricultural Science, Environmental Science, Technology & Innovation, Atomic Energy, Space Science and Technology, and Others.
- The representation from each domain/field, including gender parity will be ensured.
Selection procedure:
- All nominations received for the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar awards shall be placed before the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar Committee (RVPC) to be headed by the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to Government of India and comprising Secretaries of Science Departments, members of Science and Engineering Academies and some distinguished scientists and technologists from different fields of science and technology.
- The nominations for this bouquet of awards will be invited every year on 14th January which would remain open till 28th February (National Science Day) every year. These awards shall be announced on 11th May (National Technology Day) every year.
- The Award Ceremony for all categories of awards will be held on 23rd August (National Space Day). All Awards will have a Sanad& a medal.
Significance:
- These new National Awards is a transformative step in recognizing achievements of Scientific community at the highest level by the Government of India.
- With transparency and fairness in the entire selection process, work done by all sections of Scientific Innovators and Technologists will be awarded providing at par status with other National Awards.
Lurking blood pressure poses a huge health risk in India
(GS Paper 2, Health)
Why in news?
- The World Health Organization (WHO) released its first-ever report on the global impact of hypertension Recently, highlighting the devastating consequences of this widespread, yet often neglected condition.
- The WHO report reveals that hypertension affects one in three adults worldwide, making it a significant global health concern. It is a condition that knows no boundaries, affecting people across age groups and geographical regions.
Details:
- The number of people living with hypertension has doubled from 650 million in 1990 to a staggering 1.3 billion in 2019, with nearly half of these unaware of their condition.
- According to the WHO report, nearly four out of five people with hypertension are inadequately treated. Scaling up coverage could avert 76 million deaths between 2023 and 2050.
- The report reveals a doubling of hypertension cases from 1990 to 2019, with over three-quarters of affected adults in low- and middle-income countries.
India‘s BP performance:
- A recent systematic review highlights the growing prevalence of hypertension in the country, particularly among younger adults and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
- The research papers emphasise that a significant portion of hypertensive individuals in India remain undiagnosed. Lack of awareness about the condition and limited access to healthcare services are critical factors.
- The review examined how well hypertension is managed in India from 2001 to 2020. They found that only about 22.5% of people with high blood pressure had it under control in the most recent period from 2016 to 2020.
- The Cureus study showed that the number of people with high blood pressure in India increased from 20.4% to 22.8%, especially among those aged 15-49.
- While more cases are being found through screening, many people (around 58%) with high blood pressure donot know they have it, especially men, those with less education and money, tribal communities, and people living in rural areas.
- Even when people know they have high blood pressure, six out of ten do not start treatment, so there is a need for interventions to change their health-seeking behaviour.
Lifestyle matters
- The WHO report underscores the role of modifiable risk factors in hypertension. Unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as a high-salt diet, lack of physical activity, and excessive alcohol consumption, increase hypertension risk.
- This echoes the findings of the Indian research, which also highlights the impact of lifestyle factors on hypertension prevalence. Sedentary lifestyles, poor dietary choices, and high stress levels contribute to the rising incidence of hypertension in India.
- The treatment gaps identified in the WHO report and the Indian studies have dire consequences, as uncontrolled hypertension can lead to life-threatening conditions.
- The WHO report emphasises the importance of lifestyle changes in lowering blood pressure, such as adopting a healthier diet, quitting tobacco, and increasing physical activity. It also highlights the role of affordable, widely available medications in effectively managing hypertension.
Way forward for India
- The Indian research papers complement these perspectives by stressing the need for improved hypertension control strategies.
- They reveal that despite awareness of their hypertension diagnosis, a significant portion of patients in India do not initiate treatment. This indicates challenges in treatment-seeking behaviour and need for educational and behavioural interventions.
- Despite a significant four-fold improvement in control rates over two decades, the rising prevalence of hypertension, especially among the poor and young adults, necessitates reevaluating national strategies.
- Southern States such as Kerala and Tamil Nadu show better control than the western and north/northeastern - States in India.
- The economic aspect of hypertension management is a vital focus area of the WHO report. It underscores that prevention, early detection, and effective management of hypertension are among the most cost-effective interventions.
