Assam govt distributes scooties to 1000 girl students
Guwahati, Jan 12 (IBNS): In a bid to accelerate women empowerment and pushing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ mission, the BJP-led Assam government on Friday distributed 1000 scooties to the girl students who secured top positions in the Higher Secondary Leaving Certificate examination, 2017.
During a distribution ceremonial function held at the auditorium of Guwahati Medical College Hospital (GMCH), Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and state Education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma distributed the non-gear scooties to the girl students.
It may be noted that starting the scheme of giving free scooty to the girl students in recognition to their good results in the higher secondary examinations was one of the budget promises of the state government.
Fulfilling the budget promise, Sonowal handed over allotment certificates along with keys to the girl students in the city in presence of Education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Speaking on the occasion the Assam CM said that ever since has the new dispensation been in power, quality has become the only criterion for getting government jobs and other government incentives.
He also said that his government has been striving hard to sustain the atmosphere and make quality the only tool for selecting the beneficiaries into the fold of government programmes.
Sonowal said that the state government is committed to quality higher education and through education the much deserved qualitative changes will be brought about in the society.
“The government’s decision to introduce ‘Gunotsav’ in the education system was primarily done to bring in qualitative changes in education,” Sonowal said.
Sonowal requested the education department to include sapling plantation as an essential component of ‘Gunotsav’ to complement the state government’s efforts of adding life to bio-diversity in the state.
He also asked the recipients of scooties to use them (scooties) as a medium or launch pad to scale high in their career.
Sonowal advised the students to work hard and stay with positive people and avoid negative companies.
He also said that he felt happy to have launched the scheme on a day synchronising with the National Youth Day, the birth anniversary of Swami Vevekananda.
Education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma while speaking on the occasion said that the idea of giving free scooties in recognition to the merits of the girl students is a small gesture of the state government’s efforts towards women empowerment.
He also said though this year the state government has decided to give free scooties to 1000 students, next year the number of beneficiaries would be increased to 5000.
“Considering the problem of many students belonging to below poverty line in getting admission in the higher secondary and degree level, the state government has decided to give free text books and waive off the admission fees for them,” Sarma said.
It may also be noted that those students who opted for cash instead of scooties were given Rs 35000 as a part of the programme.
Principal Secretary to Higher Education Ajay Tiwari, adviser to education department Prof Mihir Kanti Choudhury, principal of Cotton University Prof Bhabesh Goswami, director higher education Babulal Sharma and host of other dignitaries, teachers and students were present on the occasion.
(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
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