Young generation must strive for knowledge through education: Sarbananda Sonowal

'BHASHA GOURAB' & 'PRAGYAN BHARATI' LAUNCHED

GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal launched the 'Bhasha Gourab' and the 'Pragyan Bharati' schemes of the State government at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra.

Under the 'Bhasha Gourab' scheme, 21 indigenous sahitya sabhas (literary bodies) of the State have been provided Rs. 43 crore as contribution towards their corpus funds. Under the scheme, 600 writers of the State have also been provided Rs 50,000 each to help in their literary activities.

On the other hand, a total of 3,26,046 college students were given Rs 1,500 each through direct transfer to their bank accounts under the 'Pragyan Bharati' scheme for purchasing textbooks. A total of Rs 161 crore was also reimbursed to colleges under the 'Pragyan Bharati' scheme for free admission of 4 lakh eligible students.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that the State Government is committed to provide higher education to the poorest of the poor students; and that is why, schemes like the 'Pragyan Bharati' have been launched. He also urged the parents and guardians to motivate their children to acquire knowledge through education and called on the students to utilise the opportunity provided by the schemes to achieve excellence in the academic field and develop Assam in all spheres. He also said that literature is a reflection of the society and that is why, the Assam Government is taking steps for providing financial assistance to writers and indigenous sahitya sabhas.

Calling on the young generation to work for preservation of natural environment and biodiversity of the State, Sonowal said that 8.5 crore trees have been planted till now across the State. He asserted that economy cannot be developed at the cost of ecology.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for making North East an organic hub, Sonowal said that efforts have been made in this regard; and he urged all the stakeholders to join hands for the preservation of environment.

Stating that there cannot be peace in the society without unity and harmony, Chief Minister Sonowal pointed out that all the communities must strive to maintain camaraderie and brotherhood. He also called on the parents and the teachers to encourage the younger generation towards sports and cultural activities for their holistic development and referred to the example of Hima Das who brought laurels to the State and the country at the world stage in the field of sports.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister of Education, Health, Finance etc., Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the State government has taken steps for providing primary education (till Class-V) to all students in their own mother tongues in the State; and he thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for implementing the 'National Education Policy' which has made it possible. He also informed about the State government's plan to provide pocket money to the college students in the near future apart from the money provided for the purchase of textbooks. Because of the relentless efforts of the State government, Assam is at the second positions in the country in the indexes for educational development, literary rate, and also in performance of taking education to the poor, he added. He also remarked that the State government has provided financial assistance to writers under the 'Bhasha Gourab' scheme without any discrimination and irrespective of the writers' political ideologies so that an environment for intellectual development can be facilitated in the State.

Among those present on the occasion were Principal Secretary of Higher Education B. Kalyan Chakraborty, Commissioner & Secretary of Education Department Pritam Saikia, Secretary of Higher Education Deepak Mazumder besides college principals, students, representatives of sahitya sabhas and writers, stated a release.

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