‘Technology incentives for school children’
Avtar Bhat
KATHUA, Nov 16 : Taking a dig at previous Governments for neglecting far-flung areas of J&K during their over 60 years rule at Centre and in the erstwhile State, especially in education sector, Union Minister in PMO with Independent charge of Ministries of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh today gave all credit to Modi Government for making education accessible to all in the country including those living in peripheral and remote areas.
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Addressing the gathering after inaugurating the first academic session of newly sanctioned Kendriya Vidyalaya at Ramkot in Billawar area of Kathua district today, Dr Jitendra Singh said not to talk of colleges and universities even these areas of J&K did not have Higher Secondary and High Schools up to 2014 when Modi Government took over at Centre.
Highlighting the salient features of New Education Policy (NEP) of 2020, Dr Jitendra Singh said the Modi Government revolutionised the education system in the country and it (NEP 2020) has given opportunity to merit and aptitude besides democratising education in the country.
The Union Minister said “Today we have schemes to identify and groom talent among children at early age and Modi Government has created opportunities to make education accessible to all and giving technology incentives to school children.”
Dr Jitendra Singh called upon the students and faculty to avail of a number of dedicated schemes being pushed by the Modi Government through the Ministry of Science & Technology to promote ,identify and encourage the potential innovators and StartUps among the school children , so that they could be channelised and mentored from an early age.
The Union Minister exhorted upon the audience particularly the parents of the students aged between 10 to 17 years to avail the Department of Science & Technology scholarships and Grant Schemes like INSPIRE-MANAK under which the financial support of Rs. 10,000 per selected student is awarded in an effort to promote innovation and creative thinking and attract talented students.
Dr Jitendra Singh also urged the audience to avail the benefits of INSPIRE Scholarship (SHE) of Department of Science and Technology for meritorious students aged between 17 to 22 under which Rs. 60,000 per year including Rs. 20,000 mentorship grant is given to encourage under graduate and post graduate students to adopt their careers in basic sciences and research.
The Union Minister added that that the benefits under Vigyan Jyoti Scheme for young girls from class IX to class XII should also be availed under which handholding and mentoring for higher studies and careers in Science & Technology is taken-care-of by the Union Government headed by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi to encourage these girl students to pursue education and careers in STEM, especially in underrepresented areas.
The establishment of the Kendriya Vidyalaya at Ramkot will give a boost for education in the area and provide uninterrupted quality education to the children of the local residents apart from the wards of security personnel posted in Ramkot area, the Union Minister added.
It is worthwhile to mention that 200 students have already enrolled for academic session 2025-2026 at the Kendriya Vidyalaya, Ramkot for the classes from 1st to 5th with 40 students in each class. The KV Ramkot is presently housed in a temporary accommodation in the premises of Government Model Higher Secondry School, Ramkot.
Earlier, the Union Minister inspected the Art Exhibition set-up by the Kendriya Vidyalaya Ramkot students highlighting the Central Government schemes like “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam”, an initiative of the Union Government under Swachch Bharat, Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat aimed to enhance interaction and promote Mutual Understanding between people of various States and UTs. A guard of honour was also presented by the volunteers of National Cadet Corps and Bharat Scouts and Guides Kathua. Cultural presentations by KV students were also a part of the function which were lauded by the audience present on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering MLA Billawar, Satish Sharma complimented Dr Jitendra Singh for taking keen interest in development of entire Kathua –Udhampur Lok Sabha constituency and sanctioning KV for Ramkot.
He demanded that the defence road be four lanned to ease the problems of the people and work on Panjtirthi-Billawar Multipurpose Project be started to boost the power generation, solve irrigation and drinking water problems besides creating employment avenues for locals.
He expressed the hope that Dr Jitendra Singh representing this constituency in the Parliament will utilise his good offices in getting both the projects sanctioned by the concerned Ministry at Centre.
Among others present on the occasion include DDC Chairperson Col (retd) Mahan Singh, Rajesh Sharma, Deputy Commissioner Kathua, Vinay Khosla, Nodal Principal KV Ramkot and Principals of KV Akhnoor and KV Hiranagar apart from other officials of the district administration.
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