TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INS Tarmugli
2. Pro Bono Legal Service Programme
3. Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana

1. INS Tarmugli

Syllabus: GS-3, Security & Defence; GS-2, IR

Prelims: INS Tarmugli

Context:

The Indian Navy will be inducting a Fast Attack Craft, INS Tarmugli on 14 Dec ‘23 in a ceremonial commissioning ceremony at the Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam.

INS Tarmugli:

• Commissioned in the Indian Navy as INS Tillanchang, a Trinkat Class ship, she was in active service till 2006, and thereafter gifted to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) by the Govt of India, as part of diplomatic outreach in the IOR. 
• The ship was commissioned into MNDF as MCGS Huravee in 2006 and served there till its decommissioning in May 2023. 
• The ship was returned to the Indian Navy, which also provided an in-service Waterjet Fast Attack Craft, INS Tarmugli, to MNDF as the new MCGS Huravee.
• The ship has undergone extensive repair and upgradation by the Indian Navy at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam, over the last six months, and is scheduled to be commissioned as ‘INS Tarmugli’. 

Also read: India – Maldives relations

2. Pro Bono Legal Service Programme

Syllabus: GS-2, Govt Schemes

Prelims: Pro Bono Legal Service Programme

About the Pro Bono Legal Service Programme:

• Launched in 2017, the programme is aimed at fulfilling the Department’s critical mandate of enhancing “access to justice” for marginalised sections of society and the State’s constitutional obligation of providing “free legal aid” for all. 
• It is an initiative of the Department of Justice.
• On one hand, the programme would facilitate the delivery of quality legal assistance to marginalised communities, on the other hand, it would ensure that lawyers who volunteer their valuable time and service, towards this public service, are duly recognised for their contribution.
• The Nyaya Bandhu App allows those seeking quality legal advice and counsel, to connect via a mobile application with “Advocates” who have volunteered their time and services on this platform.
• In many countries, pro bono legal support has emerged as the dominant means of dispensing free representation to the poor. Countries like the United States and South Korea require lawyers to provide pro bono services for stipulated duration per year.

Image source: PIB

3. Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana

Syllabus: GS-2, Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre

Prelims: Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana

Context:

Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana is a scheme aimed at empowering senior citizens of the country.

About Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana:

• The scheme was formerly known as the National Action Plan for Senior Citizens (NAPSrC).
• It was launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
• This scheme recognizes the invaluable contribution made by the elderly to society and seeks to ensure their well-being and social inclusion. 
• By recognizing the invaluable contributions of the elderly to society, the government aims to empower and uplift them, ensuring their active participation and inclusion in all aspects of life.
• It is a centrally sponsored umbrella scheme under which some of the programmes are as under:
  • Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC): Provides financial assistance to eligible organizations for running and maintaining Senior Citizen Homes/Continuous Care Homes to improve the quality of life of senior citizens, especially indigent senior citizens by providing basic amenities, entertainment opportunities and by encouraging productive and active ageing.
  • Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY): Provides eligible senior citizens suffering from any of the age-related disability/infirmity, with assisted living devices which can restore near normalcy in their bodily functions, overcoming the disability/infirmity manifested such as low vision, hearing impairment, loss of teeth and loco-motor disabilities. 
• There is a national helpline for the elderly called ‘Elderline for Senior Citizens’ which is 14567. 
  • It provides free information, guidance, emotional support and field intervention in cases of abuse and rescues in order to improve the quality of life of senior citizens.