HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Dec 8: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday launched the distribution of scooters under the Dr Banikanta Kakati Merit Award at a function held at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra, gifting scooters to 11,250 students, including 6,860 girls, who secured 80 per cent and above in the Higher Secondary Examination 2025.
Addressing the gathering, the chief minister said the scheme was introduced to promote academic excellence.
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Since its inception in 2017–18, a total of 1,86,442 students have received scooters, with the government spending over ₹1,043 crore.
He urged students to avoid riding scooters until they obtain a driving licence and reminded them to wear a helmet every time they ride.
Sarma said that minor modifications in the scheme’s implementation this year resulted in a reduced number of eligible recipients compared to last year’s 48,673.
However, he noted that the Nijut Moina scheme now covers more than five lakh girls.
To encourage boys, a similar scheme will be launched on January 1, he announced, adding that such measures aim to build a strong academic culture in Assam.
The chief minister also urged students to cultivate positive thinking, stating that pessimism leads to disorder and often derails students from their goals.
He said his government has been working to counter negative mindsets and promote confidence and resilience among youth.
Drawing a parallel between human cognition and artificial intelligence, he said habits and mindset profoundly shape one’s personality.
Highlighting Assam’s rapid development in the education sector, Sarma said the state now has over 25 medical colleges, with 15 functional and 10 under construction.
Medical seats have increased from 250 to 2,000 and are expected to reach 5,000 by 2030.
He noted that Assam, once dependent on other states for higher education opportunities, now has two central universities and around 25–26 state universities.
Nearly 30 engineering colleges, including IIT Guwahati and NIT Silchar, also mark the state’s progress.
Sarma said Dassault Systèmes is establishing a facility worth about ₹200 crore at Assam Engineering College to train students in designing digital tools and aerospace-related products.
An institute for maritime engineering has started in Dibrugarh, and plans are underway to set up a Google data centre and a mobile manufacturing unit in Assam.
Work on a green hydrogen plant at Numaligarh will begin next year, and land has already been allotted.
The state is also aiming to set up a bio–aviation fuel unit and is progressing towards establishing a 3,200-MW thermal power plant, which he said will enable Assam to supply electricity to Nagaland, Meghalaya and Tripura by 2031.
Education secretary Narayan Konwar delivered the welcome address.
Education minister Ranoj Pegu, adviser for Higher Education Prof Debabrata Das, dignitaries and hundreds of students attended the event.
