HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Nov 30: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that the state government has dedicated itself to the commitment of fostering the empowerment of youth through education.
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Sarma said this while speaking during an event at veterinary college field in Khanapara on Thursday where he distributed scooters under Pragyan Bharati scheme to the girls and boys scoring 60 per cent and 75 per cent respectively in Higher Secondary Examinations.
“Empowering the youth through education has been one of the commitments of the state government. Therefore, the government, fulfilling its commitment to providing seamless facilities to the students to pursue their studies, started the process of handing over scooters to meritorious girl and boy students who secured 60 per cent and 75 per cent in Higher Secondary examinations in 2023 respectively,” he added.
Sarma further said he sincerely hoped that the scooters presented in recognition of the good academic performance of the students would motivate them to do better in the future as well.
It may be noted that instituted in the memory of great litterateur and linguist Dr Banikanta Kakati, the award entered into its sixth year as 35770 students have been given scooters under the scheme in the year 2023.
On the occasion, the chief minister also gave a brief overview of Dr Kakati who contributed immensely to the language in terms of literature, linguistics, and cultural anthropology.
While paying rich tributes to the doyen of the literary world said that Dr Kakati strengthened the intellectual edifice of Assamese society. Therefore, by helping the meritorious students in the state in pursuing their studies, the government is paying its rich homage to Dr Kakati.
“Dr Banikanta Kakati was a noted litterateur and one of Assam’s leading intellectuals, whose works inspire us even today. Taking inspiration from his life, I would advise students in the age group of 18-25 to build their careers and always be focused towards their goals and not steer away from it,” he added.
Sarma also asked the students who received Dr Kakati Talent Awards, to concentrate on their works and strive to reach their targets irrespective of any obstacle to bring laurels to the state as well as the nation.
Reiterating his government’s commitment to provide more helping hands to the student community, the chief minister said that his government would doll out many more student-friendly schemes to help them to pursue their studies without any deprivation.
He also said that his government has accorded highest priority to human resource development, adding, “In keeping with this objective and encouraging the students, both boys and girls for better performance in higher education the scheme which was launched in the year 2017”.
“However, the scheme has been extended to boy students’ also securing 75 per cent marks and above from the year 2022-2023,” he stated.
Sarma further said that Assam’s Pragyan Bharati scheme has also been intended to subsidize household expenditure on higher education. Therefore, the ambit of this scheme in the coming days will be expanded to bring free scooters, free text books and subsidized hostel fees.
It may be noted that for the current financial year 2023-24, Assam government has taken decision to provide scooters to 35770 eligible students of which 30203are girl students who secured first division and 5567 are boy students who secured 75 per cent and above in the Higher Secondary Examination conducted by the AHSEC during the year 2023. The estimated financial outlay earmarked for the scheme is Rs 25954.29 lakh.
Additional chief secretary Higher Education Biswaranjan Samal gave the welcome address in the programme, which was also addressed by education minister Dr Ranoj Pegu. MLA Paramananda Rajbongshi and a host of other dignitaries were also present.
