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The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities has been allocated a total of Rs 1,225.27 crore in the <keyword id="20093202" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="fiscal-year" source="keywords">fiscal year</keyword> 2024-2025, a marginal increase of 0.02 per cent from the previous year's revised estimate of Rs 1,225.01 crore. The <keyword id="19936553" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="budget" source="keywords">budget</keyword> emphasises the continuation and expansion of key programmes aimed at improving the lives of persons with disabilities through various schemes and projects. A significant portion of the budget is dedicated to the National Program for the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities, with Rs 615.33 crore allocated for this fiscal year, up from Rs 502 crore in the revised budget for 2023-24. The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) has been allocated a total of Rs 1,225.27 crore in the fiscal year 2024-25, a marginal increase of 0.02 per cent from the previous year's revised estimate of Rs 1,225.01 crore. This programme includes Rs 315 crore for <keyword id="22518195" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Assistance-to-Disabled-Persons" source="keywords">Assistance to Disabled Persons</keyword> for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances, an increase from Rs 305 crore. The <keyword id="22518194" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Deendayal-Disabled-Rehabilitation-Scheme" source="keywords">Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme</keyword> has seen a notable increase from Rs 130 crore to Rs 165.00 crore. Additionally, the Scheme for Implementation of the <keyword id="22345050" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Persons-with-Disabilities-Act" source="keywords">Persons with Disabilities Act</keyword> is allocated Rs 135 crore, more than doubling the previous year's revised estimate of Rs 67 crore. <keyword id="21579628" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Educational-support" source="keywords">Educational support</keyword> remains a priority, with Rs 142.68 crore earmarked for Scholarships for Students with Disabilities. This is slightly down from the previous year's Rs 155 crore but continues to reflect a commitment to empowering students with disabilities through higher education opportunities. The department's support for autonomous bodies includes significant funding, although there are some reductions compared to the previous year. The National University of Rehabilitation Science and Disability Studies and the Rehabilitation Council of India maintain steady allocations. However, funding for the Centre for Disability Sports has been reduced from Rs 76 crores to Rs 25 crores. Support to national institutes is set at Rs 370 crore, a decrease from the revised estimate of Rs 408.75 crore. The budgetary support to the national trust is reduced from Rs 35 crore to Rs 25 crore. Public sector undertakings, such as the <keyword id="22518196" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="national-handicapped-finance" source="keywords">National Handicapped Finance</keyword> and Development Corporation and the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India, have been allocated a combined total of Rs 194 crore, maintaining consistent support for these critical organisations. The establishment expenditure for the central administration, including the Secretariat and the Chief Commissioner of Persons with Disabilities (CCPD), is set at Rs 42.75 crore. This includes Rs 41.55 crores for the Secretariat and Rs 20 lakh for the CCPD. The department also focuses on regional development, with Rs 75.8 crore allocated for the North Eastern Areas, up from Rs 65.7 crores.

Disability affairs department receives hike of 0.02%, allocated Rs 1,225 crore in budget

The just-announced <keyword id="22906567" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Unified-Pension-Scheme" source="keywords">Unified Pension Scheme</keyword> for central <keyword id="19933272" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="government-employees" source="keywords">government employees</keyword> will be available only for those who are currently subscribers of the New Pension Scheme (NPS), including retirees. The new scheme guarantees employees 50% of their average basic pay over the last 12 months before retirement, as a pension for a minimum qualifying service of 25 years against a market returns linked payout under the NPS. According to the scheme approved by the Union Cabinet, the pension will be proportionate for a lesser service period of up to a minimum of 10 years. Also, assured pension of Rs 10,000 per month on superannuation after a minimum of 10 years of service will be provided. The scheme has been brought out to address the concerns of government employees over NPS, which came into effect from January 1, 2004. Under the <keyword id="3246232" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Old-Pension-Scheme" source="Orion">old pension scheme</keyword> (OPS), effective before January 2004, employees got 50 % of their last drawn basic pay as pension. Unlike the old pension scheme, UPS is contributory in nature, wherein employees will be required to contribute 10% of their basic salary and dearness allowance while the employer's contribution (the central government) will be 18.5%. Under the NPS, the employer contribution is 14%, and the employee contribution is 10%. However, the eventual payout depends on the market returns on that corpus, mostly invested in government debt. Employees, under the OPS, were not required to make any contribution. They, however, contributed to the General Provident Fund (GPF). The accumulated amount, along with interest, was paid to the employee at the time of retirement. As the NPS was less attractive than the OPS, several non-BJP-ruled states decided to go back to the old pension scheme, which offered a DA-linked benefit. This prompted the Centre to constitute a committee in April 2023, under former Finance Secretary and now Cabinet Secretary-designate TV Somanathan to suggest improvement in the NPS architecture. Fulfilling the long pending demands of government employees ahead of assembly elections in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir, the Union Cabinet on August 24 approved the UPS, which will provide assured pension to 23 lakh eligible central government employees. Those opting for the UPS will not be able to switch back. The UPS will put an additional burden of Rs 6,250 crore on the exchequer per year. The expenditure will vary every year according to variations in the number of employees. In addition, there will be an arrear of Rs 800 crore that has to be paid under the National Pension System (NPS) to employees retiring before March 31, 2025. If these retirees opt for UPS, they will receive arrears. "UPS is being implemented by the Central Government, benefitting 23 lakh central government employees," Information &amp; Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on X on Sunday. If states also adopt the UPS architecture, a total of over 90 lakh government employees, who are presently on NPS, would be benefitted, he added. On Sunday, Maharashtra, where assembly elections are due later in the year, became the first state to announce the adoption of the UPS for its employees. RSS-affiliate Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) said though the government has attempted to overcome the shortcomings of the NPS, there are still some issues compared to OPS. BMS will decide its future course of action only after a detailed study of the UPS after it is notified. All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) said it is nothing but an extension of the existing NPS. The trade union expressed apprehensions that UPS will have a lot of aberrations once implemented. AITUC reiterated that it will continue to fight for the restoration of the non-contributory OPS. ICRA Chief Economist Aditi Nayar said assured pensions will add to the government's committed expenditure in the future while reducing the uncertainty for employees. "This will have to be built into the fiscal consolidation roadmap going ahead," Nayar added. The UPS reflects a thoughtful approach to long-term social security, addressing concerns about the adequacy and sustainability of pension benefits in a rapidly changing economic landscape, said Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas &amp; Co Partner Dorothy Thomas. "This move signals the government's commitment to providing robust support for its workforce, enhancing financial stability for millions of government employees across the country," Thomas said.

Over 23 lakh govt employees under NPS get option to choose unified pension scheme

The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment has been allocated Rs 13,539 crore in the 2024-2025 budget, an increase of 37 per cent from the 2023-2024 revised estimates of Rs 9,853.32 crore. This increase is primarily focused on enhancing <keyword id="20312810" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="welfare-programmes" source="keywords">welfare programmes</keyword> for <keyword id="21384605" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="marginalised-communities" source="keywords">marginalised communities</keyword> and improving infrastructure for social services. The key areas of funding include Rs 9,549.98 crore for the 'Umbrella Scheme for Development of Scheduled Castes', a significant increase from the Rs 6,780 crore in the previous financial year. For achieving social justice comprehensively, the saturation approach of covering all eligible people through various programmes, including those for education and health, will be adopted, Finance Minister <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nirmala-Sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> said on Tuesday while presenting the 2024-25 Union Budget in Parliament. She said to ensure <keyword id="22517725" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="inclusive-human-resource-development" source="keywords">inclusive human resource development</keyword>, a social justice saturation approach will be adopted. Social justice through the saturation approach refers to a strategy where the government aims to ensure that all eligible individuals are covered by various programmes and initiatives. The department has been allocated Rs 2,150 crore for the 'Umbrella Programme for Development of Other Vulnerable Groups' and Rs 314 crore for the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction. The establishment expenditure of Rs 145.80 crore for the central administration includes allocations for the secretariat and national commissions. The amount is a slight decrease from the previous year's Rs 152.60 crore. The National Commission for Scheduled Castes has been allocated Rs 38 crore and the National Commission for Backward Classes Rs 21 crore. The budget of the Development and Welfare Board for Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities remains at Rs 5 crore. Central sector schemes and projects are among the focus areas of this budget, with the <keyword id="22517726" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="scholarships-for-higher-education" source="keywords">Scholarships for Higher Education</keyword> for Young Achievers Scheme for Scheduled Castes being allocated Rs 428 crore. This scheme encompasses various sub-schemes, including the National Fellowship for SCs, Free Coaching for SCs and OBCs, Top Class Education for SCs and the National Overseas Scholarship for SCs. The Scheme of Residential Education for Students in High School in Targeted Areas for SCs has been allocated Rs 133.07 crore. The department also prioritises <keyword id="22024434" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="economic-assistance" source="keywords">economic assistance</keyword> and <keyword id="20068989" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="skill-development" source="keywords">skill development</keyword> through initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi Yojana -- that has been allocated Rs 130 crore -- and the <keyword id="20245482" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="venture-capital-fund" source="keywords">Venture Capital Fund</keyword> for SCs and OBCs -- that has bee allocated Rs 50 crore. Additionally, the Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers, which previously had allocations, does not feature in the current budget, indicating a possible reallocation of funds or a change in strategy. Support for marginalised individuals, particularly through the Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise programme, which includes comprehensive rehabilitation for persons engaged in begging and welfare of transgender persons, has been allocated Rs 98.46 crore. This marks a substantial increase from the previous year's Rs 32.82 crore, highlighting a growing commitment to addressing these vulnerable groups' needs. Transfers to states and Union Territories under centrally sponsored schemes form a major part of the budget.

Budget: Rs 13,539 cr allocated to social justice department, 37% higher than last year

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Americans are increasingly relying on government aid thanks to aging populations and rising costs.</li><li>Money from programs like Social Security accounted for 18% of total personal income in 2022.</li></ul>Americans are increasingly relying on government assistance — and it reflects a shifting economic landscape.A growing share of income in most US counties is coming from social safety net programs like <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/snap-alice-food-stamps-hunger-government-assitance-free-meals-2024-5">SNAP</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-tax-cuts-social-security-boomers-benefit-fund-depletion-2024-11">Social Security</a>, and Medicaid, per a <a target="_blank" href="https://eig.org/great-transfermation/">report</a> published in September by the research firm Economic Innovation Group. Government transfers of funds from these programs accounted for about 18% of total personal income in the US in 2022, a nine percentage-point increase from 1970, and the equivalent of $3.8 trillion. The spike is in both urban and rural counties.The report said that Americans' increasing dependence on government assistance is in part due to an aging population. One in six people in 2022 were over the age of 65 — compared to one in 10 in 1970 — and just over half of the national transfer income flows from Medicare and Social Security.What's more, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/healthcare-childcare-expensive-costs-wage-growth-employment-ai-risks-2024-8">healthcare</a> is straining people's finances. The report said Medicare and Medicaid prices are becoming more expensive as costs for care rise.The report's findings come as Business Insider has spoken with many <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/boomers-living-social-security-government-aid-snap-loneliness-crisis-isolation-2024-8">retirees</a> — who are living solely on Social Security income because they don't have savings or retirement investments — who say they are struggling to afford basic necessities."I don't want to be rich, I just need to be comfortable," a baby boomer living on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/social-security-no-savings-snap-benefits-debt-boomers-experiences-2024-6">$1,104 monthly in Social Security</a> previously told BI. "I just want to know that I can have food when I need it and a nice roof over my head."The EIG's analysis of county and county-equivalent data (such as parishes in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/2010/geo/state-local-geo-guides-2010/louisiana.html">Louisiana</a> that are considered similar to a county) shows how much government aid transfers as a share of total income varied across the US. Just a handful of places with data had shares above 40% in 2000, as seen in the map below.Most counties from EIG's analysis saw government transfers as a share of total income rise between 2000 and 2022, with many increasing by at least 10 percentage points."Today, most US counties depend on a level of government transfer income that was once reserved only for the most distressed places," the report said.Paychecks and investments are Americans' main sources of income outside government assistance. Still, many don't make enough to get by: 13% of individuals live below the federal poverty line, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/middle-class-americans-earning-above-poverty-live-paycheck-to-paycheck-2024-4">per a report</a> from the nonprofit United Way's United for ALICE program. That's <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="c-link" href="https://aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-guidelines">$15,060 annually</a> for one person.The EIG report suggests that reliance on government transfers will continue to be a norm in many US counties. EIG said enacting policies that boost wages and encourage workforce participation would be possible solutions to help reduce reliance on government assistance.Are you living on a limited income or relying on government assistance? Are you open to sharing how you budget and afford basic necessities? If so, reach out to these reporters at <a target="_blank" href="mailto:allisonkelly@businessinsider.com">allisonkelly@businessinsider.com</a> and <a target="_blank" href="mailto:mhoff@businessinsider.com">mhoff@businessinsider.com</a>.

2 maps show how Americans rely on income like Social Security more than they used to

<keyword id="19955404" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="finance" source="keywords">Finance</keyword> Minister <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nirmala-sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> presented the Union <keyword id="19936553" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="budget" source="keywords">Budget</keyword> 2024-25 on Tuesday, outlining a detailed financial roadmap aimed at driving economic growth and ensuring fiscal stability. The budget reveals a comprehensive picture of government revenues and expenditures, highlighting major <keyword id="20439675" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="allocations" source="keywords">allocations</keyword> to key <keyword id="20353247" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sectors" source="keywords">sectors</keyword> and <keyword id="19915334" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="schemes" source="keywords">schemes</keyword>. The <keyword id="19945274" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="revenue" source="keywords">revenue</keyword> to the government is generated from multiple sectors. Income tax contributes 19 per cent, borrowings and liabilities stand as the largest source at 27 per cent, and <keyword id="19951327" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gst" source="keywords">GST</keyword> along with other taxes accounts for 18 per cent. Corporation taxes contribute 17 per cent, followed by non-tax receipts at 9 per cent, customs at 4 per cent, excise duty at 5 per cent, and non-debt capital receipts at 1 per cent. On the <keyword id="19936655" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="expenditure" source="keywords">expenditure</keyword> side, the budget outlines significant allocations to various public sectors. Interest payments consume 19 per cent of the total expenditure, central sector schemes account for 16 per cent, and states' tax devolution takes up 21 per cent. Subsidies represent 6 per cent of the spending, while defence expenditures stand at 8 per cent. The Finance Commission and other transfers take up 9 per cent, centrally sponsored schemes another 8 per cent, pensions 4 per cent, and other expenses 9 per cent. In terms of sector-specific allocations, defence receives the highest allocation at Rs 4,54,773 crore. Rural development is allocated Rs 2,65,808 crore, reflecting the government's focus on boosting rural economies. Agriculture is set to receive Rs 1,51,851 crore, while home affairs are allocated Rs 1,50,983 crore, underscoring the importance of internal security. Education, a critical sector for future growth, is allocated Rs 1,25,638 crore. The IT and Telecom sector, pivotal for digital transformation, receives Rs 1,16,342 crore. Health is allocated Rs 89,287 crore, emphasising the ongoing commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure. The energy sector is earmarked Rs 68,769 crore, social welfare Rs 56,501 crore, and commerce and industry Rs 47,559 crore. The budget also highlights significant increases in allocations to major schemes. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) sees an increase from Rs 60,000 crore in FY23-24 to Rs 86,000 crore in FY24-25, aimed at enhancing rural employment. Nuclear power projects receive a boost from Rs 442 crore to Rs 2,228 crore, while the development of semiconductors sees a substantial increase from Rs 3,000 crore to Rs 6,900 crore, underscoring the push towards technological advancement. Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG is allocated Rs 1,500 crore, up from Rs 180 crore, to support energy access. Solar power allocation doubles from Rs 4,970 crore to Rs 10,000 crore, reflecting the government's commitment to renewable energy. This budget, with its detailed allocations and revenue plans, underscores the government's strategy to foster economic resilience, technological advancement, and sustainable growth.

Fund allocations to key sectors and schemes hiked in budget

<keyword id="19896016" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="new-delhi" source="keywords">New Delhi</keyword>, The Delhi government on Tuesday appealed to citizens to not fall prey to misinformation being spread by "notorious elements" who are trying to "take advantage" of the situation arising from the arrest of Chief Minister Arvind <keyword id="19895701" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="kejriwal" source="keywords">Kejriwal</keyword>. A statement issued by the <keyword id="20097855" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="planning-department" source="keywords">Planning Department</keyword> said "speculations and rumours are being spread by notorious elements with vested interests in Delhi" that welfare schemes and subsidies will be stopped. "Even as the law takes its own course in the process of criminal investigation, it merits clarification that administration of schemes and governance are never specific to individuals and shall continue in normal course, as in the past," it read. Sources in the AAP dispensation said the statement was issued following directions from Kejriwal. All public services, social welfare schemes and subsidies currently given by the Delhi government will continue uninterrupted, it said, asking people not to be misled by "any fear-mongering and malicious disinformation in this regard". "Appeal to all citizens of Delhi to stay away from any rumour mongers, who would try to take advantage of situation arising from the arrest / remand of Hon'ble Chief Minister of Delhi by <keyword id="19895344" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="enforcement-directorate" source="keywords">Enforcement Directorate</keyword> on 21 March, 2024, by spreading misinformation," it said. Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate last week in connection with the money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy. He is in ED custody till March 28. In the statement, Planning Secretary Niharika Rai said "such rumours create an atmosphere of fear within the general public". "There shall be no disruption of any kind in disbursement of admissible subsidies, pensions, welfare benefits etc. Social welfare schemes are funded with public money through the consolidated fund, backed by budgetary allocations." The statement clarified that social welfare funds are "neither the personal property of any individual or political entity nor funded by an individual or entity's personal money". "There is an architecture of civil services and processes laid down in the National Capital Territory of Delhi, which continues as usual. Hence, these public services, social welfare schemes and subsidies are not at all affected by the arrest/remand of Hon'ble Chief Minister," it stressed.

Don't fall prey to rumours about discontinuation of schemes: Delhi govt to citizens

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A new Pew study says nearly 70% of adults agree that schools should ban phones during class.</li><li>Teachers have been urging a ban on phones — and more and more schools are agreeing.</li></ul>In the running debates on teens and kids using cellphones in school — and social media's effects on young people — there's at least one thing most adults seem to agree on: banning phones in school.The Pew Research Center just released <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/10/14/most-americans-back-cellphone-bans-during-class-but-fewer-support-all-day-restrictions/">a report</a> of recent polling in which 68% of adults surveyed said middle and high school students shouldn't be allowed to use their phones during class. (Most thought kids should have access during lunch and between classes — and 36% thought phones should be locked up all day.)An increasing number of schools around the country are <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-09-23/newsom-signs-school-cell-phone-law">banning</a> phones. Teachers are overwhelmingly in favor of these cellphone bans — 90% of National Education Association members supported policies banning phones during instructional time, a spring <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/take-cellphones-out-classroom-educators-say">survey</a> said. Students, as you might imagine, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/houston-madison-school-cellphone-18651029.php">aren't always as keen</a> on it. (Although some have said they've learned to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/high-school-teacher-all-schools-should-ban-phones-in-classroom-2024-8">like the cellphone bans</a>.)Meanwhile, in the last year, there's been a noticeable crescendo in the debate over <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gen-z-quit-social-media-anxiety-free-time-2024-3">phones and teens,</a> especially with the publication of Jonathan Haidt's bestseller "The Anxious Generation" and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/states-sue-meta-allege-facebook-instagram-harm-youth-mental-health-2023-10">state lawsuits against Meta </a>and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-lawsuits-mirror-tobacco-purdue-pharma-2024-10">TikTok</a> claiming various harms against young people. The <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/surgeon-general-social-media-warning-label-mental-health-crisis-children-2024-6">US Surgeon General recently suggested social media</a> should come with a warning label for teens.<h2 id="5d54f716-edee-47a2-9b81-3f59d404ecd1">Banning phones in school is different from discussion on social media's potential harm</h2>The debate about phones in schools is connected to this bigger conversation, but for a few reasons, it also stands very separate.For one thing, the discussion about phones in schools has practical solutions: Schools can issue classroom phone bans today, and they go into effect basically immediately — there's no litigation with Big Tech giants or intellectuals pontificating about society's ills.And it doesn't really take a deep level of scientific research or analysis to conclude that phones are probably very distracting in class. If you're an adult with a phone, you can probably imagine what it would've been like to have that phone during 11th-grade English class. I'm old enough that I didn't have a cellphone in high school, but I can absolutely tell that I would have been scheming all sorts of ways to covertly text my friends under my desk during biology class.<h2 id="babf4a31-ea3a-4fd5-a199-f5bead5144b4">Research on social media and teen mental health isn't always clear</h2>On the other hand, the argument that social media and phone use are causing a mental health crisis for teens is not as clearly a slam-dunk case. The body of research on the topic is mixed, and there are <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://reason.com/video/2024/04/02/the-bad-science-behind-jonathan-haidts-anti-social-media-crusade/">persuasive arguments both ways</a>. Consider a very recent kerfuffle: A researcher <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2024-80192-001">published a meta-analysis</a> of studies on what happens when teens quit social media and suggested that Haidt's research was flawed. Then, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.afterbabel.com/p/the-case-for-causality-part-1">Haidt and his crew published a three-part Substack series</a> attempting to debunk the meta-analysis. Then, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://matthewbjane.quarto.pub/social-media-and-mental-health/">yet another researcher</a> came out with a new analysis of the whole thing, attempting a re-debunking of Haidt.Which party is correct here is far beyond my ability to judge, but the point is that academic research in this area is complicated. Studies can be flawed by design, and data can be interpreted differently.The way people talk about it matters, too; <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mark-zuckerberg">Mark Zuckerberg</a> recently said in an <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.theverge.com/24253481/meta-ceo-mark-zuckerberg-ar-glasses-orion-ray-bans-ai-decoder-interview">interview</a> with The Verge: "I think the majority of the high-quality research out there suggests that there's no causal connection at a broad scale" between social media and harm to teen mental health (emphasis mine). Meanwhile, researchers from <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.ft.com/content/bced2138-366b-448f-ab12-3c068199145a">Oxford just published a study</a> indicating a correlation between the two. I think even a high school student who was tweeting during science class knows the difference between correlation and causation.There is, too, a bit of common sense: Teens are not a monolithic group, and for some, social media and phones may be highly beneficial; for others, they might worsen anxiety and depression and potentially exacerbate eating disorders.While phones in school are a generally similar topic to the discussion of potential harms social media might bring to young people's mental health, they're really separate conversations — with different standards of proof and different solutions. And it's a conversation that most adults have come to the same common-sense conclusion on: Don't text and learn.

Most adults agree: Ban phones in schools. But that's the easy part — social media is the harder question.

In her <keyword id="19906106" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Interim-Budget" source="keywords">Interim Budget</keyword> speech in February 2024, <keyword id="20385790" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Finance-Minister" source="keywords">Union Finance Minister</keyword> <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nirmala-Sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> celebrated what she termed as the Modi government's landmark achievement: unleashing 'nari shakti' or women's power through various initiatives since 2014. Among these, the creation of one crore 'Lakhpati Didis' — women whose annual household income exceeds one lakh rupees — under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), has garnered significant attention. <h2>The hype around it </h2>Imagine being a <keyword id="20416259" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Lakhpati-Didi" source="keywords">Lakhpati Didi</keyword> — a rural woman whose annual household income exceeds Rs. 1 lakh. These women are not just financial achievers; they are community leaders who inspire others through their entrepreneurial journeys. Their success stories highlight the transformative impact of self-help groups (SHGs) and collective action in rural India. Launched amid much fanfare on August 15, 2023 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself, the 'Lakhpati Didi' scheme aims to empower women through diverse skill development programs, from producing LED bulbs to operating agricultural drones. Partnering with entities like Patanjali, Flipkart, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the initiative also focuses on branding and marketing these products, ostensibly connecting women with credit lines and MUDRA loans for financial support. Almost an year on, the scheme is all set to get some well-deserved boost in the Budget 2024 to be presented on July 23. However, the time also apt to examine if it has actually contributed to <keyword id="20009191" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="women-empowerment" source="keywords">women empowerment</keyword> in the country. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111915324" title="Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to table Economic Survey in Parliament today" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> <h2>The reality check </h2>Critics argue that such schemes may inadvertently tether women's SHGs to corporate networks, potentially benefiting transnational agribusiness giants aligned with the government. Programs like 'Namo Drone Didi', allocated Rs. 500 crore in the Interim Budget, exemplify this trend by integrating women into digital agriculture, albeit under the influence of corporate agendas. Further, while the Interim Budget championed the narrative of women's economic prosperity, it failed to adequately address their basic needs. Despite claims of empowerment, essential schemes such as PM Awas Yojana (Rural) and Har Ghar Jal have seen significant budgetary underspending, raising concerns about the government's commitment to women's welfare beyond mere rhetoric. For instance, the underutilisation of funds in Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) and the shrinking allocations for crucial subsidies like nutrition and education further highlight the disconnect between budgetary outlays and on-ground impact. This trend suggests a shift in responsibility towards state governments without commensurate support from the Union government, leaving vulnerable populations like widows and rural women at risk. Overall, the well-intentioned narrative around the scheme needs better translation and execution on ground to achieve desired outcomes. <h2>Looking ahead </h2>Until now, the budgetary allocation for women-centric programs have remained disproportionately low, with the Ministry of Women and Child Development having been allocated Rs 26,000 crore in 2024-25, an increase of 2.52% compared to the previous budget. This paltry investment underscores a broader pattern of neglecting systemic issues such as gender-based violence, social discrimination and pro-corporate stance. As Budget 2024 approaches, stakeholders eagerly anticipate policies that not only boost economic growth but also empower rural women as entrepreneurs and leaders. While Lakhpati Didi stands poised to empower rural women with opportunities and support, more steps are needed to make it more sustainable. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111689743" title="Union Budget 2024: A handy FAQ guide to decode the upcoming budget" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

Budget 2024: Can Lakhpati Didi Yojana’s reality inspire better focus on women?

<ul class="summary-list"><li>I hired a virtual assistant and work with her five hours a week.</li><li>It was hard to ask for help, but since she started three years ago, my productivity has improved.</li></ul>I burned a pot of black beans the day I hired my virtual assistant. I was on break from my day job, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-get-book-idea-published-agent-author">writing my book proposal</a>, preparing beans for dinner, and trying to stay relatively sane during the pandemic. I toggled back and forth from the kitchen to my desk, stirring beans between writing paragraphs.My attention was divided yet again as I watched the timer alerting me to clock back into my <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/got-caught-working-two-remote-jobs-fired-unethical-overemployment-2024-6">remote corporate hell</a>. I was juggling a lot and finally dropped the proverbial ball; the ball, in this case, was a mass of black beans burned to a crisp at the bottom of a new pot. I needed help.Months earlier, I learned <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-became-virtual-assistant-make-six-figures-built-clients-income-2022-4">virtual assistants</a> were a thing. A friend and fellow journalist mentioned that bringing on a virtual assistant for five hours a week saved time, reduced stress, allowed her to focus on what she really wanted to do (write!), and provided a glimmer of the oh-so-coveted work-life balance.Her experience inverted my naive assumption that all assistants work full-time. She planted a seed that day; I just needed to burn some legumes before tending to it.<h2 id="bdab8755-a873-4e90-a8dc-5a4e9ec2a9e8">I started by figuring out how a virtual assistant could be useful to me</h2>While I was definitely curious about how a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-become-virtual-assistant-remote-jobs-2022-12">virtual assistant could fit into my life</a>, I still couldn't imagine trusting a stranger with passwords, invoices, or the myriad documents we contract workers juggle. I also knew my relationship with work wasn't sustainable. I asked her to tell me more about this whole virtual assistant thing, and it sounded like just what I needed.My friend put me in touch with someone who works with virtual assistants, who had me assess what you were looking for help with. Within 24 hours, I had personalized emails from three virtual assistants who fit my requested description.One of them — Sarah — stood out because she studied psychology and appreciated my work in the sober space. On any given day, my inbox is flooded with pitches discussing anything from trauma to addiction recovery to queerness to lube recommendations. It was important for me to hire someone comfortable with my work in mental health and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mom-tried-rosy-a-sexual-wellness-app-improved-her-desire-2023-1">sexual wellness</a>. After a quick virtual call, Sarah became my VA. We just celebrated three years of continuous work together.<h2 id="6d151e9e-9ec2-4359-a752-76bc96ea294a">Asking for help was hard but necessary</h2>I didn't expect considering outsourcing tasks to bring up so many confronting emotions. Evaluating the opportunity costs of white-knuckling countless tasks helped me decide what my time and energy are worth. I compared the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.indeed.com/career/virtual-assistant/salaries">average rate</a> for a virtual assistant ($26.34 per hour nationally, ranging from $30-$40 in NYC, where I live) to what I charge hourly for my services.I also listed worst-case scenarios (stolen identity, confidentiality breach, needing to change passwords again). Then I listed best-case scenarios (less stress, more focus, working smarter not harder). This valuable exercise changed my <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/self-employment-career-change-multiple-income-sources-advice-2024-6">approach to self-employment</a> and outsourcing.But asking for help is freaking hard — especially in our hyper-individualistic bootstrap American culture. Admitting I needed help made me feel weak. "I should be able to juggle all of this on my own. Real entrepreneurs don't need help," I frequently told myself, perhaps another example of how self-destruction still lives in my bones after almost a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-to-put-in-a-sobriety-tool-kit-to-stay-sober-over-the-holidays-2022-11">decade of recovery</a>. Thankfully, humility is a big part of any mental health journey. That same humility permitted me to ask for help outsourcing tasks from an assistant.When hiring someone, there's a learning curve for both parties. We all work uniquely, developing idiosyncrasies that only make sense to us. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/starting-business-with-partner-strengthened-relationship-2024-6">Working together</a> requires piercing that veil, revealing the method to our madness to a complete stranger. And, if we dare, let that stranger give us feedback or provide a new way of doing things we never considered.There's also the risk of going through the arduous onboarding process only to discover that you two just aren't a good fit. Hiring a VA is just like dating: if it doesn't work out, you <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/breakup-avoid-binge-drinking-face-feelings-2023-8">break up</a>, recover, and put yourself back out there again, knowing more about yourself and the process. Thankfully, I found the right person on the first try.<h2 id="35ed0c3f-9b59-4fe4-9db3-153fee3fd00c">Hiring her changed my life — and my business</h2>Sarah started at three hours a week (a standard minimum for VAs) at $32 per hour, then quickly moved up to five hours a week, where we've stayed. Her first tasks were helping organize my messy inbox, managing social media DMs, and sending invoices. She also organized my book research and created spreadsheets to track literary agents when I was querying my book.We have an annual evaluation, during which we each provide feedback to each other, identify what worked and what didn't, and create plans for the upcoming year. I also give her an annual raise for inflation (and because she's amazing!).There's no way I could have written my <a target="_blank" href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/730665/dry-humping-by-tawny-lara/">book</a> or co-founded my <a target="_blank" href="https://www.drinkparentheses.com/">business</a> without Sarah. She perfectly handled the tedious minutiae while I focused on building my career. That focus even allowed me to quit my day job and, perhaps more importantly, perfect my bean recipe.

I hired a virtual assistant after I realized how overwhelmed I was with work. Asking for help was hard, but it's been so worth it.

A sixth-grade social science textbook that I read described India as a piece of fabric, with countless threads coloured in a myriad of majestic shades, woven together. This metaphor holds exceptionally well when put into the context of our <keyword id="22706215" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="handloom-industry" source="keywords">handloom industry</keyword>. India has a rich history of handlooms and weaving cultures. The culture of handlooms is so intricately woven into Indian culture, that there are whole towns dedicated to the same: <keyword id="248532" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chanderi" source="Orion">Chanderi</keyword> in Madhya Pradesh to Pochampally in Telangana and a dozen more! Unfortunately, the handloom industry in India is dying. The struggle is multi-faceted, ranging from a declining workforce to fierce competition from <keyword id="20496028" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="power-looms" source="keywords">power looms</keyword>. Hence, five years ago, August 7 was proclaimed <keyword id="22677698" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="National-Handloom-Day" source="keywords">National Handloom Day</keyword> in response to this crisis and to heighten public awareness. This date holds special historical significance, commemorating the initiation of the Swadeshi Movement in 1905—a pivotal act of defiance against British colonial rule. <h2>When did this industry come into existence?</h2>According to archaeological findings, the origins of handloom in the Indian subcontinent may be traced back to the Indus Valley Civilization. The Mughal Empire was known to support and patronise <keyword id="20258864" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="weavers" source="keywords">weavers</keyword>. The support from the royal patrons resulted in the invention of new textiles such as ‘Mulmul’ and ‘Banarasi Brocade’ among others. This era witnessed a heightened worldwide demand for Indian textiles. In the 17th century, India produced 25% of the world’s textiles, with Bengal accounting for more than 50% of textiles and 80% of silks imported by the Dutch from Asia. <h2>What led to the decline of the <keyword id="19934660" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-handloom" source="keywords">Indian handloom</keyword>?</h2>The East India Company's entry fuelled the industry's initial decline, which started in the 1830s. The weavers were obliged to sell only to the British, and that too at exceedingly cheap prices, virtually putting them out of business. On the other hand, Indian cloth was taxed excessively to promote machine-made British clothing. The Industrial Revolution in Britain strengthened their indigenous textile industry, giving rise to new markets for cheaper textiles. In India, the collapse of the Mughal aristocracies meant no access to royal patronage. As a result, textiles like Khadi and muslin had little demand in the market. Circling back to the present, the industry is facing both similar and new challenges. Fabrics made on power looms are cheaper and faster to produce, in comparison to handloom fabrics. The industry is largely unorganised, and the wages are shockingly low. 67% of <keyword id="22706216" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="handloom-workers" source="keywords">handloom workers</keyword> are earning less than the minimum wage every month. Faced with economic challenges, the older artisans are thus forced to encourage the newer generation to choose an alternative career path. This migration of the workforce from a traditional sector is evident from the fall in the number of weavers less than 35 years of age- from 26.13 lakh in 2009-10 to 16.07 lakh in 2019-20. The majority of weavers do not have access to banking facilities, let alone institutional credit. Furthermore, if one manages to accumulate credit, there is a mismatch between the supply and demand forces due to the lack of awareness about handwoven textiles in the current generation. <h2>Initiatives for revival</h2>The cultural significance of the Indian handloom isn’t just limited to its beauty and extravagance, but it extends to our independence struggle as well. The Swadeshi movement immortalised the charkha and advocated for the use of indigenous goods. Following independence, the Indian government took many measures to revive the handloom industry. In 1953, India’s Parliament approved the Khadi and Other Handloom Industries Development Act. In 1955, the All India Handloom Fabrics Marketing Cooperative Society was formed to promote the sale of fabrics produced by handloom cooperatives across India. The National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) aimed to provide financial assistance for marketing and production. The Handloom Weavers’ Comprehensive Welfare Scheme offers health and life insurance to weavers, to ensure social security. The organisation commenced a fortnight-long exhibition, “VIRAASAT” dedicated to celebrating the 10th National Handloom Day began at Handloom Haat in Janpath, New Delhi on Saturday, 3rd August 2024, and will conclude on 16th August 2024. The Handloom Mark scheme was introduced to authenticate handloom products, thus enabling weavers to gain better market access and ensuring that consumers get genuine products. Moreover, the India Trade Portal also mentions that the GOI plans to provide financial assistance of Rs. 30 crore to at least 10,000 handlooms. Various state governments also regularly conduct handloom expos and fairs, providing platforms for weavers to showcase and sell their products directly to consumers. <h2>Contemporary Brands and their love for Indian handloom</h2>Modern, popular designers such as <keyword id="8264" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sabyasachi" source="Orion">Sabyasachi</keyword> and <keyword id="21493890" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ritu-kumar" source="keywords">Ritu Kumar</keyword> are known to work closely with weavers and have been doing their part by bringing worldwide attention to the handloom industries. Recently, <keyword id="1472101" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ajrakh" source="Orion">Ajrakh</keyword> was brought into the limelight when Alia Bhatt wore a custom Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla Ajrakh saree to Joy Awards in Riyadh. However, it’s not just the fashion moguls who are working towards the revival of this industry. Contemporary indie brands are partnering with local weavers, and creating awareness about their work. The emergence of such indie brands and their association with local artisans is beneficial for both entities. For instance, Joskai Studio derives its name from ‘Joskai’, a woven piece of cloth worn as a part of the traditional costume of the Tiwa community of Assam. They work with artisans in northeast India, specifically from the weaving village of Saualkuchi in Assam. Rouka by Sreejith Jeevan is a Kerala-based brand that works strictly with weavers from Kerala, specifically Chendamangalam and Kuthampally. <h2>Employment and Exports</h2>According to the Indian Trade Portal, the Indian handloom sector is the country’s second-largest employer after agriculture in rural areas. The Handloom Census 2019-20 mentions that the industry employs about 35,22,512 workers across the country, with women forming 77.29% of the workforce. India is the second largest exporter of handloom products in the world, with exports valued at $ 353.9 million in 2017- 18, as per EXIM bank's working papers. The major handloom export centres are Karur, Panipat, Varanasi and Kannur where handloom products like bed linen, table linen, toilet linen, floor coverings, and embroidered textile materials and curtains etc. are produced for export markets. During April 2021-February 2022, India exported handloom products worth 1693 crore, as per Indian Trade Portal. Indian silk scarves also form a sizable chunk of total handloom exports, in addition to home textiles like carpets, rugs and mats, which constitute over 13.6% of India’s total handloom exports. <h2>The Path Forward</h2>The mere existence of organisations and allocation of funds isn’t enough to sustain the legacy of India’s rich handloom industry. Big corporations working with local weavers ensure employment but don't protect them from exploitation and meagre wages, leaving them vulnerable. The people in power ought to come up with strategies that ensure the trickle-down effect of the schemes and funds. The new generation of buyers has a greater purchasing power than the one before them. Marketing focused on bringing Indian handloom practices into the limelight can do wonders in this case.

Fabric of a nation: Sustaining India's handloom legacy in modern times

<keyword id="20305504" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Khelo-India" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Khelo India" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Khelo India">Khelo India</keyword>, which is the government's flagship project to promote sports at the grassroots level, was once again the biggest beneficiary in the union <keyword id="19936553" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="budget" source="keywords">budget</keyword> for the <keyword id="19896478" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sports-ministry" source="keywords">sports ministry</keyword> as it was assigned Rs 900 crore from the overall allocation of Rs 3,442.32 crore on Tuesday. Kehlo <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="india" source="keywords">India</keyword>'s share, announced in the budget presented by finance minister <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nirmala-sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> here, is Rs 20 crore more than the revised allocation of Rs 880 crore during the previous financial year. With the <keyword id="19986816" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Olympic" source="keywords">Olympic</keyword> cycle set to come to an end in Paris in August this year, and the <keyword id="19895708" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Commonwealth-Games" source="keywords">Commonwealth Games</keyword> and <keyword id="20007738" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Asian-Games" source="keywords">Asian Games</keyword> still two years away, the budget for the Sports Ministry has seen only a marginal increase of Rs 45.36 crore from the previous cycle. The budget for the previous cycle was Rs 3,396.96 crore for the previous financial year. The government has invested heavily in Khelo India over the years as the programme continues to unearth talent from all parts of the country. While Khelo India's actual allocation in 2022-23 stood at Rs 596.39 crore, it was increased by more than Rs 400 crore, to Rs 1,000 crores, in the 2023-24 budget, before being revised to Rs 880 crore. The government has continued to add programmes ever since the inaugural Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) were held in 2018. The ministry added Khelo India University Games in 2020, before also launching the Khelo India Winter Games the same year and the Khelo India Para Games in 2023. Hundreds of Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCE) have been set up across the country, which aim to provide facilities for athletes with potential. Several Khelo India athletes are currently in India's Olympic-bound contingent. The government's assistance to <keyword id="20418970" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="National-Sports-Federations" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="National Sports Federations" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="National Sports Federations">National Sports Federations</keyword> (NSFs) has also seen an increase of Rs 15 crore -- from Rs 325 crore in 2023-24 to Rs 340 crore in the latest budget. The budget for Sports Authority of India, which apart from maintaining its stadia across the country also manages the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) to prepare athletes for the global sporting extravaganzas, has also been enhanced from Rs 795.77 crore to Rs 822.60 crore, which is a jump of Rs 26.83 crore. The <keyword id="20524251" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="National-Anti-Doping-Agency" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="National Anti-Doping Agency" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="National Anti-Doping Agency">National Anti-Doping Agency</keyword> (NADA) and the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL), which does all the testing, have received marginal increase in their budgets. While NADA's budget has gone up from Rs 21.73 crore last year to Rs 22.30 crore, NDTL has got Rs 22 crore, up from Rs 19.50 last year.

Khelo India once again gets lion's share in Union Budget for sports

Nalin Bansal, Chief Relationship Management at the National <keyword id="20242630" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="payments" source="keywords">Payments</keyword> Corporation of India (<keyword id="19998946" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NPCI" source="keywords">NPCI</keyword>), speaking at the Global Fintech Festival 2024 on Wednesday, emphasized that only 25 per cent of payment users are <keyword id="19900675" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="women" source="keywords">women</keyword>, with even lower penetration in semi-urban and rural areas. "While we've achieved significant scale in <keyword id="20377974" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="financial-inclusion" source="keywords">financial inclusion</keyword>, penetration remains a challenge, with only 25% of payment users being women, and even fewer in semi-urban and rural areas. Many women's mobile numbers are not linked to their bank accounts, hindering their participation," Bansal said. He added, "Yet, data shows women are 50% less prone to fraud and are highly loyal and engaged users. As an ecosystem, we must prioritize personalized, assisted services and continuous engagement across all channels. UPI123 has made strides, especially for initiatives like Ujjwala, and prepaid instruments hold promise as a 'secret purse' for women. Building trust is crucial, and it is our collective responsibility to foster it." Women are more likely to adopt <keyword id="20853683" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="digital-financial-services" source="keywords">digital financial services</keyword> when introduced by local agents or <keyword id="22950816" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="community-influencers" source="keywords">community influencers</keyword>, particularly women who can help them overcome social and technological barriers. Women who make at least five <keyword id="19971375" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="transactions" source="keywords">transactions</keyword> in the first week of onboarding are twice as likely to continue using <keyword id="19900911" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="UPI" source="keywords">UPI</keyword>. This highlights the need for financial service providers to rethink in-app nudges and sales metrics to encourage consistent usage. 93 per cent of women surveyed expressed the need for ongoing support during the first three months of using digital payments, particularly for grievance redressal during failed transactions. Kalpana Ajayan, Regional Head - South Asia, Women's World Banking, said, "We recognize that digital payments can serve as a powerful tool for women, enabling them to manage their finances more effectively, access a broader range of services, and ultimately secure a better future for themselves and their families." She added, "By addressing the specific barriers that women face in adopting digital payments, we open up a new frontier for growth. This initiative is about much more than inclusion--it's about positioning women as key drivers in the digital financial ecosystem." The NPCI's UPI platform has already revolutionized India's payment landscape, with UPI transactions soaring from Rs 920 million (USD 11.08 million) in FY 2017-18 to Rs 83750 million (USD 1.01 billion) in FY 2022-23, reflecting a staggering CAGR of 147 per cent. The value of UPI transactions reached INR 80.79 trillion (USD 96,287) across approximately 55.66 billion transactions in the first four months of FY 2024-25. Of the 536 million women aged 15 years and older in India, 37 per cent report using mobile internet, making the addressable market for UPI solutions among women around 200 million strong.

Women are more likely to adopt digital financial services when introduced by local agents or women community influencers

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Many older adults living on small Social Security checks feel isolated.</li><li>Some baby boomers living near poverty don't apply for assistance or tell loved ones they need help.</li></ul>Each morning, Ann Miller picks up her local newspaper. She flips past the front-page stories, game-day recaps, cartoons, and crossword puzzles. She's looking for the grocery coupons: If she's lucky, there might be a sale on frozen fish or canned tomatoes.The 78-year-old barely gets by on $1,800 a month from her <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/social-security-no-savings-snap-benefits-debt-boomers-experiences-2024-6">Social Security income</a>. She lives in Ellensburg, Washington — a town about 100 miles southeast of Seattle — in a small apartment above a hay barn. The place gets a little dusty, but it's all she can afford.Miller budgets religiously but she doesn't have any <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-budget-retirement-social-security-401k-hsa-medicare-savings-2024-8">retirement savings</a>. Once she's paid for her housing, utilities, cellphone, credit card debt bills, and gas, she usually has $75 left over to buy food each month. If she has any unexpected expenses, she might not have enough money to eat.No one in Miller's life knows about her finances. She frequently talks to her neighbors but she said she's anxious that they will find out about her <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/retirement-savings-social-security-baby-boomers-without-savings-401k-poverty-2024-8">tight budget</a>. She requested to use her maiden name for this story due to privacy concerns.And, while Miller might qualify for <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/buying-groceries-snap-food-stamps-cant-afford-essentials-credit-card-2024-6">SNAP</a> and other forms of government assistance, she has chosen not to apply because she's worried her neighbors in Ellensburg would find out. To feel comfortable signing up for aid, she said would have to move to a town "where no one knows me," she said.About <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/middle-class-americans-earning-above-poverty-live-paycheck-to-paycheck-2024-4">13%</a> of Americans are living below the federal poverty line, but another <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/meet-the-typical-alice-middle-class-poverty-housing-food-benefits-2024-4">29%</a>, like Miller, are just above the poverty threshold. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gen-x-baby-boomers-savings-cant-afford-retirement-2024-4">One in five adults</a> don't have retirement savings, and millions of baby boomers are relying solely on Social Security checks — making it difficult to afford housing, food, and healthcare as they age.Because of this, many older adults told BI they feel isolated. Stigma and misconceptions about safety-net programs mean some people don't apply for the help they need. What's more, social activities can be costly, and prices for dining at restaurants, plane tickets, and concerts have been <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/inflation-cost-of-living-what-is-middle-class-housing-market-2024-4#:~:text=Many%20Americans%20have%20come%20to,financial%20plan%20to%20alleviate%20stress.">rising for years</a>. For a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/boomers-retirement-loneliness-making-friends-lifesaver-solutions-epidemic-happiness-2024-3">generation that already feels lonely</a>, money woes are making it worse.Miller has lost count of how many restaurant dinners and group vacations she's had to decline, and most of her friends have faded away."At some point, you become invisible," she said.<h2 id="e084399c-726b-4409-aaed-cf6ad2696515">Money woes make boomers' loneliness worse</h2>Being social <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rising-cost-dating-millennials-gen-z-soaring-cost-love-apps-2024-8">can be expensive</a>, and some low-income older adults feel like they don't have many options.Sixty-three percent of Americans who earn less than $50,000 a year and 41% of adults over 66 years old say they feel consistently lonely, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://newsroom.thecignagroup.com/loneliness-epidemic-persists-post-pandemic-look">per a survey</a> of 2,496 US adults conducted by Morning Consult and published in 2022 by the health insurance company Cigna.While hobbies and group activities might help some baby boomers feel less isolated, not everyone has the financial resources to access them, said Diane Stone, an associate director for the National Council on Aging, an advocacy firm that provides resources for older adults. They might not be able to afford a reliable phone line or gas to drive and visit family, she added."Getting older makes it harder to do some of those things because of mobility issues and transportation issues," Stone said. "When you layer on financial insecurity and having less income, it exacerbates all of that."Maureen, for example, lives on her $1,601 monthly Social Security income and is afraid she will <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/social-security-retirement-savings-middle-class-outlive-benefits-income-expenses-2024-8">outlive her limited savings</a>. The 66-year-old is a retired teacher and asked to use her first name for privacy. A widow, Maureen lives by herself in Northeast Pennsylvania and struggles to pay for <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/boomers-live-on-social-security-cant-afford-healthcare-transportation-retirement-2024-6">groceries and electricity</a> every month. While her friends know money is tight, she is reluctant to tell her loved ones she receives $23 a month in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/snap-alice-food-stamps-hunger-government-assitance-free-meals-2024-5">SNAP food benefits</a> because she feels "embarrassed" about her finances, she said. What's more, Maureen has to decline most social invitations because of cost."A friend of mine wanted to go to a concert Friday night," Maureen <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/boomer-lives-on-social-security-scared-use-401k-retired-teacher-2024-8">told BI in early August</a>. "I said, 'you know, that sounds like fun, but I have $400 to last until August 28 when I get my Social Security check."'<h2 id="21ed47d0-390a-4de4-a7b7-8471f662d4d4">Older adults are reluctant to tell friends and family they need help</h2>BI reported on the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-loneliness-does-to-the-body-and-brain-2023-12">loneliness crisis</a> when it spiked during the pandemic. And, to be sure, costs can be a major barrier to social life for other generations, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gen-z-loneliness-spends-money-to-make-friends-2023-9">like Gen Z</a>. But experts like Stone say Americans — especially low-income older adults — have felt isolated for much longer.Like Maureen, 68-year-old Rita lives on her $1,680 monthly Social Security check in Pekin, Illinois, a town about 175 miles southwest of Chicago. She, too, receives $23 monthly from SNAP and hasn't told loved ones she needs financial help or that she receives government aid.Even so, $23 doesn't go very far at the grocery store, and Rita (who is using her first name for privacy) is now several thousand dollars in debt because she had to use credit cards to pay for housing, food, and transportation."I live alone and I'm inside most of the time," <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/boomer-social-security-cant-afford-groceries-feels-lonely-retirement-2024-7">she previously told BI</a>. "I'm kind of isolated."Stone said stories like this are familiar. She added that many older adults have misconceptions and feel stigma surrounding government aid — so they are less likely to ask for assistance."There's kind of this myth that people have that, if I enroll in benefits, I'm taking something away from somebody else," she said.SNAP and senior nutrition programs are often <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/poverty-line-leaves-behind-low-income-americans-snap-medicare-wic-2024-6">means-tested</a>, meaning people qualify based on their income. There typically aren't a limited number of spots. Stone knows it can be difficult to ask for help, but there shouldn't be shame in "accessing the benefits you are entitled to," she said.Of course, not all older adults rely on Social Security, decline to seek government aid, or struggle financially during retirement. Some have <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/planned-retirement-until-discovered-fire-2024-04">strong savings nest eggs</a> and feel more comfortable discussing finances with friends and family. Those with resources to be social and travel might also feel less isolated.For low-income baby boomers, reaching out for help can be daunting — even if they feel like they're living in poverty.Without money, family, or close friends, Miller worries about who will take care of her when she can't maintain her independence."I remember those times in my life when I had all those positive things to look forward to," Miller said. "Now, at the sunset of my life, I try to stay upbeat. But I don't have a plan and that scares me."Are you experiencing loneliness because of your finances? Are you open to sharing your story? If so, reach out to <a target="_blank" class="" href="mailto: allisonkelly@businessinsider.com">allisonkelly@businessinsider.com</a>.

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