North East India’s First IVF Lab

Context: Recently, the Prime Minister of India inaugurated the first in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) laboratory of India’s northeastern region in Guwahati.

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• The lab was established under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission.

• The facility, developed with an investment of Rs 28.93 crore, to improve cattle breeds and support sustainable dairy development across northeastern states.

• The Guwahati IVF lab will provide advanced reproductive technologies to enhance the productivity and health of local cattle populations.

• In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) is a scientific process used to help in reproduction by fertilising an egg with sperm outside the body in a controlled laboratory environment.

• The Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation for projects worth ₹1,166 crore aimed at strengthening India’s livestock and dairy sectors.

• The initiatives are designed to promote diversification of rural income and empower small and landless farmers through technology and infrastructure development.

Sugamya Bharat App

Context: Recently, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) launched the revamped Sugamya Bharat App to promote digital inclusion and accessibility for persons with disabilities.

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• The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched the revamped Sugamya Bharat App at the Purple Fest held in Goa.
• This initiative marks a major step towards building a digitally inclusive India where accessibility is at the core of technological development.
• The app was developed with the support of SBI Foundation and in partnership with NAB Delhi, ISTEM, and Mission Accessibility to ensure a user-first and accessibility-first approach.
• The app is a gateway to empowerment as it connects persons with disabilities to opportunities, information, and the power to demand accessibility.

Key Features of the Revamped Sugamya Bharat App 

• This app includes an accessibility mapping function that allows users to locate and rate public places based on accessibility parameters, enabling community-led data collection.
• This version integrates a grievance redressal system through which users can directly report issues related to inaccessible infrastructure and services.
• This app also consolidates directories of government schemes, scholarships, benefits, and employment opportunities under one platform, simplifying access to welfare information.
• This platform offers curated job and education listings from both government and private sectors, specifically tailored to the needs of persons with disabilities.
• This app has been designed with inclusive features such as screen reader compatibility, voice navigation, and multi-language support to ensure no user is excluded.