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Bhubaneswar, August 20: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik gave away laptops to meritorious plus II students and prizes to girls who took part in the self-defense training in their colleges at Soochana Bhawan, here, Saturday.
The initiative was part of Biju Youth Empowerment Scheme which the government had launched in 2013 to ensure continuing efforts for all-round development of youth in the state.
“Technology has been playing an important role in the development of the country. It is essential in the education sector, too,” the CM said.
Trainers involved in the self-defense programmes were also felicitated on the occasion.
“The empowerment of women and girls is important and we are ensuring recognition for those who have excelled in self defence. This scheme will help motivate women and build their confidence,” the CM said.
Recipients of the laptops said the government initiative has inspired them. Several students from BJB Autonomous College, Bhubaneswar, were among the recipients of the laptops.
Madan Mohan Baral, an arts student from the college, said: “This initiative is an incentive for hard work and it has motivated me to go the extra mile.” Madan had secured 82 per cent marks in the board exam.
Another recipient Trupti Biswal, who had scored 91 per cent and is pursuing science at the college, echoed Madan.
Among those felicitated for associating with self-defence training programmes, trainer Dakapriya Nag from Bolangir said: “I learned self-defence from Karate School, Bhubaneswar, under a government scheme and higher education department asked me to train collegegirls at the 11-day programme held in the city recently,” Dakapriya added that the government has been prioritising women’s empowerment.
Higher Education, Science and Technology and Rural Development Minister Pradeep Kumar Panigrahy and MP Prasanna Patsani were present on the occasion.