₹924 Crore Disbursed Under Gujarat’s Namo Lakshmi Yojana, Over 10 Lakh Girl Students Benefited

Quick Summary

• The Gujarat government has distributed ₹924 crore in financial aid to 10.83 lakh female students under the ‘Namo Lakshmi yojana’ over the past year.
• This initiative led to a 16% surge in enrollment of female students, according to state officials.
• Launched in 2024, the scheme provides ₹50,000 over four years to girls from families earning less than ₹6 lakh annually, assisting with education from classes 9 to 12.
• Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel highlighted its role in reducing dropout rates and fostering women’s empowerment by ensuring financial constraints do not hinder education access.
• Mukesh Kumar, Principal secretary of Education Department, emphasized how the scheme is building aspirations alongside funding education.
• Beneficiaries have positively reacted: Akshara Diwan stated that it helps her pursue her goal of becoming a police officer; parents like Shailesh Prajapati lauded the program as hope for low-income families.

Image: Representational image crediting K.V.S.Giri.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The ‘Namo Lakshmi Yojana’ appears significant for addressing long-standing issues surrounding accessibility and equity in girls’ education. Its financial assistance aligns with broader national goals of reducing gender disparities in literacy and fostering social mobility among disadvantaged communities. A key outcome-16% increase in school enrollments-suggests substantial progress toward curbing dropout rates tied to economic challenges.

The initiative’s design-targeting families earning below ₹6 lakh annually-is likely crucial for reaching vulnerable demographics most affected by barriers to secondary education. While individual testimonials highlight direct benefits such as purchasing resources or enabling career ambitions, sustained success will depend on consistent implementation across rural and urban areas alike.

By positioning Gujarat as a model state for educational reform among girls,this program underscores how targeted fiscal policies can yield transformative societal outcomes while contributing toward India’s vision for gender equality and empowerment.Policymakers elsewhere may study its results closely for scalable adaptation across states.

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