GUWAHATI: Chief Minister
Sarbananda Sonowal has said that education helps people to add value to their
personality, and urged students to develop their innovative skills to be
successful in life. The Chief Minister said this while addressing the gathering
as the chief guest during the presentation ceremony of 'Dr Banikanta Kakaty Merit
Award' at Numali Jalah Parade Ground, Amingaon in Kamrup district on Sunday. The
programme was organised by the Higher Education department under the
'Pragyan Bharati Scheme'.
While launching the award ceremony, the Chief Minister handed over scooter keys to five meritorious girl students. Under the scheme, the government has provided scooters to meritorious girl students who passed the Higher Secondary Examination for the year 2020 in first division.
In Kamrup and Kamrup (Metro) districts, a total of 22,034 petrol-driven scooters and 211 battery-driven scooters would be provided to 22,245 girl students. It would be undertaken with an expenditure of Rs 144.30 crore. The meritorious girl students of other districts would be given the award on January 2and 3next year.
While congratulating the meritorious students and their parents, the Chief Minister said that the red-coloured scooters presented on the occasion would carry the success stories of the girl students to every nook and corner of the State. He added that the scheme would transform the lives of many girl students by boosting their self-confidence besides inspiring many more to take up studies seriously, he added.
Exuding confidence on the abilities of the meritorious girl students, the Chief Minister said that today women have made their mark in every sphere of social life. He termed the 21st Century as the age of women; and said that large-scale joining of women in the three wings of the defence force of the country testifies the capabilities of the womenfolk.
Stating that the Central and the State governments have been taking numerous steps to uphold the dignity of women and safeguarding their pride, the Chief Minister highlighted schemes such as the 'PM Ujjala', 'BetiBachaoBetiPadhao', 'Jan-DhanYojana' among others. Speaking about the 'Arunodoi' scheme which benefits several lakh women of the State, he said that the State government's welfare schemes in the last four-and-half year have touched the lives of 70 lakh families including women and helped them to be self-sufficient.
Further underlining the steps taken by the State government to ensure safety of women, the Chief Minister said that the State government has taken an uncompromising stand against those involved in crimes against women. He also said that the State government has set up Fast Track Courts to expedite trial against persons involved in crimes against women, adding that the State government's measures have given new confidence to women. The Chief Minister also urged the girl students to abide by the road protocol and traffic guidelines.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister of Education, Finance, Health, PWD etc., Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the State government launched the 'Dr Banikanta Kakaty Merit Award' in 2017-18 and presented scooters to 1,000 girl students who secured first division. However, in 2018-19 and 2019-20, the award could not be presented due to several reasons, he said, adding that the State government has now decided to give away the scooters to the meritorious girl students of that period in February next year. The move would benefit 5,000 and 10,000 girl students respectively. He further said that while presenting more than 22,000 scooters to girl students this year, the State government would be able to cover 40,000 girl students with this award since its launch in 2017-18, stated a release.
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