Ayushman Bharat, solution for weeds, and Vinesh Phogat creates history
Aug 7, 2024
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Anonna Dutt, an expert on health policies, discusses the Ayushman Bharat scheme's expansion for seniors over 70 and its potential impact on healthcare access. Harish Damodaran, an agricultural specialist, introduces a breakthrough in wheat and rice farming, featuring new herbicide-tolerant crops that reduce reliance on flooding and stubble burning. The episode wraps up with the inspiring story of Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat, the first female wrestler from India to reach the Olympics finals, highlighting her historic journey and resilience.
The Ayushman Bharat scheme aims to expand healthcare access to all citizens over 70, potentially increasing government expenditures significantly.
Innovative herbicide-tolerant wheat and rice varieties are revolutionizing farming by reducing environmental impact and improving weed management efficiency.
Deep dives
Overview of the Ayushman Bharat Scheme
The Ayushman Bharat scheme is a health insurance initiative by the Indian government aimed primarily at covering the poorest 40% of the population. Recently, there has been a promise from the ruling party to extend this coverage to all citizens aged 70 and above, potentially increasing the number of beneficiaries significantly. Currently, the scheme primarily utilizes data from the 2011 social, economic, and caste census for beneficiary selection, though states can add more individuals based on their local databases. This expansion strategy could enhance healthcare access for the elderly, who often struggle to obtain insurance due to high premiums and inadequate coverage.
Projected Impact of Expanding Coverage
Expanding the Ayushman Bharat scheme to include all seniors over 70 could lead to increased government expenditures, as wealthier individuals are more likely to utilize healthcare services. Experts project that the incorporation of this demographic will raise the overall costs due to higher hospitalization rates and increased claims related to chronic illnesses among older adults. Furthermore, the financial implications could strain the treasury as more comprehensive coverage leads to an uptick in hospital visits, particularly in private facilities. This potential financial burden highlights the need for careful planning to ensure sustainability of the scheme amidst rising demand.
Innovations in Agriculture and Sustainability
Recent agricultural innovations are addressing the significant issue of weed management in rice and wheat farming by reducing the dependency on flooding and ploughing. A major breakthrough involves breeding rice and wheat varieties that can tolerate specific herbicides, allowing for effective weed control while conserving water resources. These advancements could eliminate traditional practices such as field flooding and repeated ploughing, which are environmentally unsustainable and labor-intensive. As a result, this new method promises not only to improve agricultural efficiency but also to contribute to ecological sustainability by reducing water use and the burning of crop stubble.
First, Indian Express’ Anonna Dutt talks to us about the Ayushman Bharat scheme and how it has been working since the last six years. She also shares that the central government wants to include all the senior citizens above the age of 70 within the ambit of the scheme and how it will impact the expenditure for it.
Next, Indian Express’ Harish Damodaran speaks to us about a major breakthrough in wheat and rice farming that will bring to an end the issue of weeds. He talks about a new variety of herbicide tolerant wheat and rice crops that will bring down the practice of flooding a paddy field and stubble burning. (10:26)
And in the end, we talk about Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat creating history and becoming the first ever Indian female wrestler to reach the final at the Olympic Games. (21:21)
Hosted, written and produced by Niharika Nanda Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar
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