Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on Sunday called upon the students and faculty to avail the number of technology incentives and dedicated schemes being pushed by the Modi government through the Ministry of Science & Technology to groom, identify, and encourage the potential for innovation and Startups among school children, so that they could be channelised and mentored from an early age.
The Minister was speaking at the inauguration of a Kendriya Vidyalaya at Ramkot in Kathua.
He exhorted parents of students aged 10-17 years to avail scholarships offered by the Department of Science & Technology and Grant Schemes like INSPIRE-MANAK, under which a financial support of Rs 10,000 is awarded to selected students to promote innovation and creative thinking and attract talented students.
Dr Jitendra Singh also urged them to avail the benefits of the INSPIRE Scholarship (SHE) of the Department of Science and Technology for meritorious students aged 17-22 years. Under the scheme, Rs 60,000 per year, including a Rs 20,000 mentorship grant, is provided to encourage undergraduate and postgraduate students to pursue careers in basic sciences and research.
The Minister added that the benefits of the Vigyan Jyoti Scheme for young girls from class IX to class XII should also be availed. Under this initiative, the Union government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, provides handholding and mentoring support for higher studies and careers in science and technology, encouraging girl students to pursue education and careers in STEM, especially in underrepresented areas.
The establishment of the Kendriya Vidhyalaya at Ramkot will boost education in the area and provide uninterrupted, quality education to the children of local residents, as well as the wards of security personnel posted in the Ramkot area, the Union Minister added.
Earlier, the Union Minister inspected an art exhibition organised by KV Ramkot students, highlighting central government schemes such as ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’, an initiative under Swachch Bharat, ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ aimed at enhancing interaction and promoting mutual understanding among people of various states and Union territories. A guard of honour was also presented by the volunteers of the National Cadet Corps and Bharat Scouts and Guides, Kathua. Cultural presentations by KV students were also part of the function and were widely lauded by the audience.