Launch of District Education Transformation Programme in Balotra

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has brought international recognition to yoga; rural youth are achieving prominence through their knowledge and efforts – Governor Om Prakash Mathur

Positive changes are being brought into the lives of the poor and marginalized through state government efforts

Work underway to connect BPL families in 10,000 villages to government schemes – Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma

Governor of Sikkim Om Prakash Mathur and CM Bhajanlal Sharma observed camp under Antyodaya Sambal Fortnight

Jaipur : On Saturday, the Governor of Sikkim, Shri Om Prakash Mathur, addressed the inaugural ceremony of the Balotra District Education Transformation Programme (BDET) held at Padru village in Balotra, organized by the Motilal Oswal Foundation. He commended the Foundation’s innovative educational initiatives, which will provide quality education to children and youth, and praised its financial support to national educational institutions. He also highlighted that central and state government schemes are reaching the needy, and acknowledged Prime Minister Narendra Modi for securing international recognition for yoga, reinforcing India’s emergence as a global leader. He further lauded migrant communities for contributing to public service in Rajasthan.

Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma emphasized that education is the foundation for societal change and the elimination of social evils. He noted that the state government has introduced over 8,000 smart classrooms in more than 4,000 schools. Additionally, subject experts are conducting live online classes from Monday to Friday via e-pathshala and WhatsApp SMILE groups. So far, 88,800 meritorious students have received free tablets and internet access. Under NEP 2020, from September 9 to October 2, 2024, the “Prakhar Rajasthan Read-to-Lead” campaign benefited 4.2 million children, and 4.3 million books were distributed to school libraries.

Enrollment and Retention Drive

Shri Sharma announced that BDET will conduct door-to-door surveys to identify and enroll school-dropout girls and those missing enrollment. The goal is not only educational access, but also to equip them for employment. He appealed to philanthropists to join the government’s efforts to make Rajasthan a leader in education.

Public Service Camps under Antyodaya Sambal Fortnight

He said that from June 24 to July 9, camps under the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Antyodaya Sambal Fortnight are addressing issues like land ownership, disputes, documentation for animal health—including inspection, treatment, vaccination, and Mangla Animal Insurance—and connecting BPL families in 10,000 villages to government schemes. Camps also focus on infrastructure upgrades: cleaning water tanks, repairing taps and canals, fixing electric poles and loose wires, distributing Ayushman health cards, resolving pending NFSA cases to ensure food security.

Unprecedented Progress in 18 Months

Shri Sharma criticized past governments for talk without action and noted that during the current 18-month tenure no paper leaks occurred, while 69,000 youth have received appointment letters. He committed to fulfilling employment promises for 400,000 youth. He highlighted landmark developments in water and power, and mentioned MOUs worth ₹35 lakh crore signed at Rising Rajasthan, with over ₹4 lakh crore already operational.

Comprehensive Development for Balotra

Shri Sharma confirmed sufficient budget allocations for Balotra’s all-round development. Initiatives include upgrading the Nakoda sub-health centre to PHC; road construction on NH-325 (Khara Phanta–Sindhari–Mithoda–Siwana–Devandi–Mokalsar and Devda–Phulan Rakhi), and the Ramapura–Balotra corridor via Ajit, Samdari, Jethantri, Kanana roads. Ten hectares near Padru have been allocated to promote pomegranate cultivation, and a 50 MVA transformer has been approved to ensure power supply to farmers. Tend ers have been approved for doubling roads (Sindhari–Siwana–Mokalsar and Pali–Jaitpur–Gelewas–Barwa–Majal–Karmavas), buffer storage in Balotra and Siwana, and a new women’s college at Chado’s Dhanai. Siwana has been officially notified as a new municipality and roadways bus station improvements are planned. Farmers have received ₹1.05 billion in grants.

Holistic Development under PM Modi

He credited PM Modi’s leadership since 2014 for nationwide transformation—poor welfare, anti-terrorism, rising global stature—and affirmed that Rajasthan is working for the overall development of youth, women, farmers, and workers. Farmers benefit from honor funds and bonuses on MSP-driven wheat procurement, and women are being empowered through livelihoods (RAJIVIKA).

Certificates and Grants Distributed

Earlier, Governor Om Prakash Mathur and CM Bhajanlal Sharma reviewed the Antyodaya Sambal camps at Padru, interacted with beneficiaries, and distributed cheques and kits (Maatri Vandana scheme to Premlata, Godh-Bharai kit to Rekha), along with certificates under Rajshree, Lado Protsahan schemes, nutritional kits for pregnant mothers, Mangla animal insurance policies, NFSA certificates, and housing pattas/electronic wheelchairs for divyang citizens.

Guests and Participants

Also present were Animal Husbandry & Dairy Minister Joraram Kumawat, Chief Vigilance Officer Jogeshwar Garg, Industry Minister K.K. Vishnoi, MPs Ummmedaram Beniwal and Sudhir Gupta, MLAs Hamir Singh Bhayal, Arun Chaudhary, Atul Bhansali, Adooram Meghwal, Motilal Oswal, Javerilal Oswal, renowned poet Shailesh Lodha, various local representatives, officials, and large numbers of citizens.