How has the Gujarat government distributed Rs 370 crore in scholarships to 13 lakh students?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Over 13 lakh students received scholarships.
- Scholarships worth Rs 370 crore were disbursed via DBT.
- Programs include Namo Lakshmi and Namo Saraswati.
- Focus on enhancing girls' education.
- Investment in educational infrastructure is expanding.
Gandhinagar, Dec 12 (NationPress) In a pivotal scholarship distribution ceremony, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel led the event on Friday, focusing on the state’s prominent educational programs - Namo Lakshmi, Namo Saraswati Vigyan Sadhana, Mukhyamantri Gyan Sadhana Merit Scholarship, and Mukhyamantri Gyan Setu Merit Scholarship.
Over 13 lakh students from various regions received scholarships totaling more than Rs 370 crore, credited directly to their accounts via the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
This event, held in Gandhinagar, saw the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, Education Minister Dr Pradyumansinh Vaja, Minister of State for Education Rivaba Jadeja, alongside other notable figures.
During his address, the Chief Minister highlighted the impact of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” initiative, which has significantly advanced girls’ education throughout the nation.
He reminisced about transformative campaigns, such as School Enrollment Drives (Praveshotsav) and Kanya Kelavani Mahotsav, initiated during Modi’s tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister, which have reshaped the educational framework and encouraged families to prioritize daughters’ education.
Patel emphasized the state’s educational infrastructure, asserting that Gujarat has realized PM Modi’s vision of providing uninterrupted educational access from KG to PG.
He stressed that education is fundamental to the progress of any state or nation.
Encouraging students to pursue knowledge wholeheartedly, the Chief Minister urged them to take pride in India’s rich heritage.
He pointed out that the youth will be instrumental in creating a Viksit Gujarat and Atmanirbhar Gujarat, as well as a Viksit Bharat and Atmanirbhar Bharat in the future.
Over the past twenty years, Gujarat’s education system has rapidly developed, becoming one of the most robust in India.
The government has fortified the entire educational pipeline from KG to PG, enhancing school accessibility through initiatives like School Praveshotsav, modernized classrooms, digital tools, smart schools, and improved teacher recruitment.
At the tertiary level, Gujarat boasts a comprehensive network of universities, model colleges, skill universities, and specialized institutions in areas like engineering, medicine, and research.
Programs such as Namo Lakshmi, Namo Saraswati, and various merit scholarships have significantly improved retention rates and accessibility, particularly for girls.
Investments in hostels, STEM labs, vocational training, and public-private partnerships have further aligned education with employment opportunities, making Gujarat’s educational framework increasingly inclusive, modern, and industry-responsive.