Latest news with #SocietyforEliminationofRuralPoverty
The Hindu
a day ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Cheyutha pension to 681 more dialysis patients in Telangana
The State government has sanctioned Cheyutha pension to 681 more dialysis patients, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 8,721. Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Minister Danasari Seethakka has signed a file to this effect on Monday. Prior to the Congress government coming to power, the number of dialysis patients receiving pension was 4,011. The Congress government had earlier sanctioned pensions to 4,029 patients, and with this recent sanction, the total number has increased. The pensions were sanctioned by the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) based on the details of patients receiving treatment in hospitals recognized by the Rajiv Aarogyasri Healthcare Trust. The majority of the newly sanctioned beneficiaries, 629, are availing treatment in hospitals in Hyderabad, while 52 are from other districts. The government has taken this decision to support patients who are unable to work full-time due to health issues. The beneficiaries will start receiving a monthly pension of ₹4,000 from next month. Minister Seethakka said this move demonstrates the government's commitment to providing both health security and financial security to its citizens.
India Today
21-06-2025
- Business
- India Today
Tailored to succeed National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Hyderabad
NIFT's Hyderabad campus is where tradition meets innovation to shape a new generation of fashion designers who are globally attuned, yet deeply committed to India's regional crafts NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FASHION TECHNOLOGY (NIFT) , Hyderabad No. 4 (2025) up from No. 6 (2020) Since its inception in 1995, NIFT's Hyderabad campus has grown into a vital hub for fashion education and innovation in South India. From just two courses at launch, it now offers seven, serving over 1,000 full-time and 60 part-time students on its expansive nine-acre campus. 'NIFT's early establishment in Hyderabad placed it at the forefront of design education in a region with a rich handloom and craft tradition,' says director Dr Malini Divakala. That legacy continues through the institute's active role in supporting Geographical Indication (GI) status for nine traditional crafts across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Seminars, workshops and field projects are central to this outreach. The institute's academic ethos is marked by interdisciplinary learning that's locally rooted yet globally aware. Its faculty includes PhD-holders, published researchers and seasoned industry consultants. Landmark contributions include Pramanik, a comprehensive publication on 10 GI-certified handicrafts and handlooms from the Telugu states. HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE The institute partners with organisations such as the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) to give students hands-on experience with rural artisans. A collaboration with the Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society and Satavahana University is paving the way for a new programme in Design & Technology. Alumni describe their time at NIFT as transformative. 'It was a space of growth, where diverse perspectives, collaborative spirit and academic rigour come together seamlessly,' says Rakesh Ranjan from the class of 2007. For Tuhin Roy, four years his senior and now an entrepreneur, 'NIFT gave me more than just technical skills; it gave me a mindset, vision, a voice and a global perspective rooted in Indian sensibilities.'
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
To boost employment, Telangana mulls reviving self-help groups (SHGs) for disabled; plans include microloans & skill training
HYDERABAD: In an effort to empower people with disabilities, the state govt is looking at reviving self-help groups for people with disablities which would provide them self-employment opportunities as well as improve their financial status. There are around 10 lakh disabled persons residing in the state, according to the 2011 Census data. Similar to women's self-help groups (SHGs), plans are afoot to set up these SHGs for the disabled where priority would be given to savings. While there were about 70,000 such groups in the past, many have become inactive after 2016. The govt plans to reactivate these groups as well as establish new ones. Guidelines are currently being prepared under the supervision of Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP). Officials are working on modalities such as membership numbers, monthly savings amounts and collection procedures in areas lacking banking facilities. Once all considerations are finalised, guidelines are expected to be issued. In the past, each group consisted of six to seven members. To join a group, an Aadhaar card and a local address will be mandatory. In urban areas, staff from Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas will provide assistance. These SHGs would help with microloans for agricultural and non-agricultural activities. Support for technical and vocational training, marketing facilities and subsidised financing will also be available, officials said.
Hans India
17-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Rural Women Step Toward Entrepreneurship with SERP's RAMP Initiative
Gadwal: "Rural Women Step Toward Entrepreneurship with SERP's RAMP Initiative".In a significant move to empower rural women and encourage grassroots entrepreneurship, the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP), in coordination with the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) and the Department of Industries, Telangana, conducted a one-day RAMP (Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance) awareness program at the Mahila Samakhya office in Jogulamba Gadwal on Tuesday. The program was designed to motivate women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in rural areas to explore industrial and business opportunities. Addressing the gathering, District Industries Centre General Manager Mr. Ramalingeshwar Goud emphasized the importance of turning rural women into self-reliant entrepreneurs by offering them institutional support, training, and access to finance. Speaking on the occasion, he said, 'This initiative is part of a broader mission by the Telangana Government to bring about inclusive growth by empowering women at the grassroots. Through SERP and DRDA, we are not only creating awareness but also building a strong foundation for sustainable micro-enterprises.' The program highlighted the vital contributions of SERP (Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty) in promoting women empowerment through: Formation of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) Financial inclusion and micro-credit access Skill development in enterprise management and marketing Institutional support for business registration Linkages with banks for credit and subsidy support Following the awareness session, a 15-day capacity-building training program will be offered to selected women participants. This training will focus on industry-specific skills, business planning, product development, marketing techniques, and practical knowledge of running micro-industries. One of the key features of this initiative is the comprehensive support structure provided to the participants. In addition to training, SERP will assist the women in registering their enterprises and obtaining financial aid through bank loans to establish viable income-generating units. Director Madhavi, District Project Manager Ramamurthy, Assistant Project Manager, and several members of local SHG federations participated in the session, sharing success stories and guiding participants on how to leverage the government's various schemes and resources. Participants expressed enthusiasm and gratitude for the opportunity to transform their lives through self-employment and skill enhancement. The event underscored the importance of grassroots-level awareness in enabling rural women to rise beyond poverty and become drivers of local economic development. With SERP at the helm of such transformative efforts, Telangana continues to set an example in rural women's empowerment and inclusive entrepreneurship.
The Hindu
30-05-2025
- The Hindu
Facial recognition devices for Cheyutha pensions
In a effort to disburse social security pensions more efficiently, and curb potential fund leakages, the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) is set to procure over 6,000 facial recognition devices, in line with the latest guidelines issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). The guidelines, which came into effect earlier this year, recommend the phasing out of devices with older configurations, and encourage the adoption of newer device specifications. The facial recognition-based authentication is intended for the Cheyutha social security pension scheme, which provides funds to widows, handloom and beedi workers, patients undergoing dialysis or affected by filariasis, as well as individuals diagnosed with AIDS. The scheme also extends health insurance cover of ₹10 lakh under the Rajiv Aarogyasri initiative. The devices, either mobile phones or tablets, will be deployed across districts, with SERP planning to integrate facial recognition technology developed by a vendor of its choosing. Digital rights researcher and privacy activist Srinivas Kodali issued a word of caution. He said that any government must ensure transparency in the implementation of such technology. 'Authorities must inform people whose photographs are being collected for facial recognition purposes. With the UIDAI and other authorities now using facial recognition for other identification checks, people should be made aware of why their photo is being taken and be informed of their right to privacy,' he said. S.Q. Masood, who is a petitioner in a case in the Telangana High Court challenging the use of facial recognition by law enforcement agencies, also issued a word of caution. 'Government departments must consider challenges such as internet connectivity, infrastructural limitations, and environmental conditions that could affect the reliability of facial recognition systems. Unless these systems are 100% accurate, there is a real risk of beneficiaries being excluded or inconvenienced,' he said.
