Page 7 - NIS English 1-15 July, 2026

Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan: A Decade of Care

The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan has
completed 10 years of ensuring safe childbirth across
the country. To mark this occasion, Union Minister
for Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda launched a
nationwide celebration on June 9th under the theme
“10 Years of PMSMA – A Decade of Care.” To
commemorate this achievement, the government
released a commemorative coin worth ₹75 and a
postage stamp worth ₹5. The scheme was launched
by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 9, 2016, to
provide free antenatal check-ups and health services
to pregnant women through specialist doctors on
the 9th of every month. Over the past decade, more
than 7.5 crore pregnant women across the country
have benefited from free health services through
this campaign. This initiative has laid a very strong
foundation for building a healthy and safe India.

‘BHAVYA’ Portal Launched
Process Initiated to Set
Up 100 Industrial Parks
Nationwide

In a significant step towards the operationalisation
of the Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana (BHAVYA),
the BHAVYA Portal has been launched. Under
this scheme, states will be encouraged to submit
detailed project proposals highlighting their
Nominations for Padma Awards industrial capabilities, land availability, investor
2027 Open Until July 31, 2026 interest, and regional potential. The scheme aims
The last date for nominations for the Padma Awards, to to develop 100 industrial parks across the country
to foster large-scale employment generation
be announced on the occasion of Republic Day 2027, is through increased investment. These parks will
July 31, 2026. Nominations and recommendations will be be developed in various sizes, ranging from 25
accepted exclusively online through the National Awards acres in hilly regions, small union territories, and
Portal (https://awards.gov.in). The Padma Awards, namely, northeastern states
Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri, are to 100–500 acres
among the highest civilian awards of the country. in medium-sized
Instituted in 1954, these awards are announced annually states and regions
on Republic Day. They are conferred in recognition of and up to 1,000
distinguished and exceptional achievements or service acres near cities
across various fields, including art, literature and education, and towns.
sports, medicine, social work, science and engineering,
public affairs, civil service, and trade and industry. The
government is committed to transforming the Padma
Awards into a “People’s Padma” and has requested the
citizens to make nominations and recommendations,
including self-nominations.

July 1-15, 2026 || NEW INDIA SAMACHAR 5