Gandhinagar, Dec 12 (NationPress) On Friday, Gujarat's Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel led a significant scholarship distribution event, which falls under the state’s prominent educational initiatives: Namo Lakshmi, Namo Saraswati Vigyan Sadhana, Mukhyamantri Gyan Sadhana Merit Scholarship, and Mukhyamantri Gyan Setu Merit Scholarship.

Over 13 lakh students throughout the state benefitted from scholarships totaling more than Rs 370 crore, which were deposited directly into their accounts using the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

This event took place in Gandhinagar and was attended by notable figures including Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, Education Minister Dr Pradyumansinh Vaja, Minister of State for Education Rivaba Jadeja, among other dignitaries.

In his address, the Chief Minister emphasized the impact of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative, “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao”, which has significantly boosted girls’ education nationwide.

He reminisced about transformative efforts like School Enrollment Drives (Praveshotsav) and Kanya Kelavani Mahotsav, initiatives from Modi’s time as Gujarat’s Chief Minister, that reshaped the educational framework and motivated families to prioritize the schooling of girls.

Focusing on Gujarat’s educational infrastructure, Patel affirmed that the state has realized PM Modi’s vision of providing seamless educational access from KG to PG.

The Chief Minister stressed that education is the cornerstone of development for any state or nation.

He encouraged students to pursue knowledge passionately and to take pride in India’s rich cultural heritage.

Patel highlighted that today's youth will play a crucial role in realizing a Viksit Gujarat and Atmanirbhar Bharat in the coming years.

The education system in Gujarat has rapidly advanced over the past two decades, establishing one of the strongest educational frameworks in India.

The government has fortified the educational pipeline from KG to PG, ensuring widespread access through initiatives like School Praveshotsav, improved classroom facilities, digital integration, smart schools, and enhanced teacher recruitment.

At the higher education level, Gujarat boasts a robust network of universities, model colleges, skill universities, and specialized institutes in fields such as engineering, medicine, and research.

Programs like Namo Lakshmi, Namo Saraswati, and various merit scholarships have significantly improved retention and access, particularly for girls.

Investments in hostels, STEM labs, vocational training, and public-private partnerships have further enhanced the alignment of education with employability, rendering Gujarat’s educational landscape more inclusive, modern, and industry-responsive.