Initiatives/ Scheme
NalamAI Chatbot
- Context: Honorable Minister for Medical, Medical Education, and Family Welfare, launched the “NalamAI” WhatsApp chatbot on 08.07.2026 at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital to facilitate easy public access to healthcare services.
About NalamAI Chatbot
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- The NalamAI WhatsApp chatbot has been launched to provide easy access to health information and digital healthcare services for the public.
- It aims to strengthen digital healthcare delivery across Tamil Nadu.
- Platform and Access
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- The chatbot is available on WhatsApp.
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- Users can access the service by saving 96192 22999 in their contacts and sending a “Hi” message.
- Services are available in Tamil and English.
- Key Services Offered
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- Self-registration for health services.
- Viewing doctors’ prescriptions.
- Accessing laboratory test reports.
- Locating nearby government hospitals and health centres.
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- Phased Implementation
- The service will be introduced in 22 districts during the first phase.
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- It will later be expanded to the remaining 16 districts in a phased manner, covering all 38 districts of Tamil Nadu.
- Outpatient Appointment Booking
- An outpatient (OP) appointment booking facility has been introduced through NalamAI.
- The service has initially been launched in the Department of Pulmonary Medicine at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Chennai.
- Pre-registration Facility
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- Patients can pre-register their hospital visits based on the time slots allotted by the hospital through the chatbot.
- This helps streamline patient flow and appointment management.
- Benefits of the Initiative
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- Reduces patient waiting time.
- Provides faster and more convenient access to healthcare services.
- Enhances the efficiency of digital health service delivery.
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- Future Expansion
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- The outpatient appointment booking service will be gradually extended to all departments of Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital.
- Subsequently, it will be rolled out to other government hospitals across Tamil Nadu.
‘Repeat Tripping Elimination Programme’ (RTEP)
- Context: The Chairman and Managing Director of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board has ordered all Chief Engineers and officials to immediately implement a new scheme titled ‘Repeat Tripping Elimination Programme’ (RTEP). This initiative aims to permanently prevent recurring power outages across Tamil Nadu.
Objective
- To permanently prevent recurring power outages.
- To enhance the reliability of power supply.
- To ensure continuity in power supply.
- To identify and rectify the root causes of faults.
- To provide quality and uninterrupted power service to the public.
History & Culture
Pidari Ekaveeri Inscription
- Context : A rediscovered inscription at the Sadaimudinathar Temple in Tiruvalanchuzhi has revealed a Chola-era royal grant to the goddess Pidari Ekaveeri.
About Pidari Ekaveeri Inscription
Location of the Deity
- The image of Pidari Ekaveeri is located within the Sadaimudinathar Temple at Tiruvalanchuzhi, near Kumbakonam.
- The temple is famous for its Chola architecture and is praised in the hymns of the Shaivite saints.
Royal Endowment
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- The worship of Pidari Ekaveeri was supported through an endowment made by Kunthanan Amuthavalliyar.
- She was the mother of Queen Thanthisathi Vidankiyar and the mother-in-law of Chola emperor Raja Raja I.
Donation for Worship
- She donated 40 gold coins to six Brahmins to conduct the special ritual known as Avapala Anjanai.
- The inscription records the names of the six Brahmins who were entrusted with performing the ritual.
Annual Endowment
- The annual interest from the donation amounted to 30 kalam of paddy.
- This income was used to perform the Avapala Anjanai ritual every year.
Environment
Beekeeping initiative – Pichavaram mangroves
- Context : The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has launched a beekeeping initiative in the Pichavaram mangroves, Cuddalore, to improve the livelihood of the Irula tribal community.
About Beekeeping initiative
- The project is being carried out by the Eco-Tourism Management Committee (ETMC) as part of the Climate Resilient Village (CRV) initiative.
- It has received ₹25.37 lakh in financial support from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) under the TRIBES scheme.
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- The programme provides training in scientific beekeeping, honey processing, branding, and marketing under the “Pichavaram Mangrove Honey” brand.
- The initiative is expected to improve pollination, promote the natural regeneration of mangroves, conserve biodiversity, and enhance the ecological resilience of the Ramsar-listed Pichavaram mangrove ecosystem.
