- The journey of the daughters of Chhattisgarh will no longer be long or tiring.
The primary objective of the Saraswati Cycle Scheme is to encourage girls’ education and provide them with convenient transportation to school. Under this scheme, free bicycles are provided to girl students from Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Below Poverty Line (BPL) families who are in the 9th grade in government and aided schools.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai’s good governance government has launched an initiative that has given new wings to the courage of girls. Within just one month of the start of the academic year, in July, free bicycles are being distributed to eligible girl students under the Saraswati Cycle Scheme. This swift decision is proving to be a major gift for parents, teachers, and the girls themselves.
- Freedom from walking, now you can measure the distance by bicycle
The story of Chhoti Yadav, a 9th-grade student at the Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Sarangarh, in the Sarangarh-Bilaigarh district, represents hundreds of girls in the district. Chhoti used to walk three kilometers from her village, Jharpadih, every day to reach school. Walking in the scorching heat and rain was exhausting, but now her ordeal is over. The smile on Chhoti’s face after receiving a free bicycle clearly reflects her joy and relief.
Like Chhoti, this scheme has been a boon for many other girls like Akanksha Ratre, a student from village Basinbahra, and Diksha Sidar, who studies in a hostel. Now they won’t have to travel 2 to 5 kilometers on foot. The students say that getting bicycles will save time and allow them to focus more on their studies without getting tired. All of us students thank Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai for this government support.
- Parents got big financial relief
The month of July is a time of farming and paddy sowing for farmers. At this time, for families living below the poverty line (BPL), bearing the additional expense of their children’s education and purchasing bicycles was a major concern. The government’s provision of bicycles at the beginning of the semester has provided significant financial relief to parents. They are now free from the worry of taking out loans or incurring unnecessary expenses for their daughter’s education or transportation.
- Objective of systematic distribution and planning
Under the guidance of the District Education Officer, bicycle parts are being assembled (fitted) in Sarangarh, Barmkela, and Bilaigarh blocks and delivered directly to female students through schools. In this connection, bicycles have already been distributed to 150 eligible girls at the Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Sarangarh.
- Plan objectives at a glance
Bicycles will be distributed to girl students from Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Below Poverty Line (BPL) families studying in grade 9 in government and aided private schools. The primary objective is to provide girls in remote rural areas with easy access to school. This will reduce school dropout rates and promote girls’ education.
This sensitive initiative by Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai not only ensures that girls are reaching school on time but has also boosted their self-confidence. The ‘Saraswati Cycle Scheme’ is emerging as a vibrant example of women’s empowerment and good governance in Chhattisgarh.
