Agartala 2nd December, 2024: To encourage education and increase school attendance among girls, the Tripura government has prioritized distributing free bicycles to Class IX female students. Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha highlighted this initiative during the state-level bicycle distribution event held at Pallimangal Vidyajyoti Higher Secondary School in Khayerpur.
The Chief Minister stated that this initiative would contribute significantly to promoting women’s education and empowerment. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for implementing several women-centric schemes since assuming office in 2014, including the ‘Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao’ program, which aims to strengthen women’s empowerment across the nation.
Addressing the gathering, CM Saha mentioned that from 2014 to 2024, numerous initiatives for women’s development have led to socioeconomic progress for women nationwide and in Tripura. As part of this effort, the government has started distributing bicycles to 23,300 Class IX girls from the 2022-23 academic year, covering all high schools in the state. The Chief Minister also announced that 100 meritorious girls would receive scooters in the future based on their performance.
He further elaborated on the government’s focus on not only enhancing the quality of education but also improving school infrastructure. Tripura currently has 125 Vidyajyoti schools, which are undergoing various developmental measures. Under the Nipun Mission, 8,400 teachers have received foundational education training, and 4,227 pre-primary schools have established Nipun Corners to foster intellectual growth among children.
Special guest MLA Ratan Chakraborty praised the government’s various initiatives for reducing dropout rates and making education more accessible for girls in distant areas. He noted that the provision of bicycles has encouraged many girls to attend school regularly.
Other dignitaries present included Jharna Rani Das, Chairperson of Old Agartala Panchayat Samiti, and Uttam Ghosh, Councilor of the Agartala Municipal Corporation. The event’s welcome address was delivered by Special Secretary of the Education Department, Raval Hemendra Kumar, who informed attendees that the bicycle distribution program for 2022-23 is being implemented at a cost of ₹10.16 crore.
The event was presided over by Director of School Education, N.C. Sharma, while Sushanta Chakraborty, Principal of Pallimangal Vidyajyoti Higher Secondary School, also attended. The program concluded with CM Saha and other dignitaries personally handing over bicycles to the students.
