India, Aug. 11 -- Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday distributed bicycles to 200 Class 9 girl students under the Vidya Vahini Yojana, saying the initiative is aimed at making education more accessible and ensuring that transportation challenges do not force girls to discontinue their studies. The event was held at the Delhi Assembly premises, where students from Zone 7 of the North district received bicycles. The Delhi government plans to distribute bicycles to around 1.40 lakh Class 9 girl students across the city during the current academic year under the scheme. The initiative seeks to ease commuting to schools, reduce travel time and promote confidence and self-reliance among girl students. Also Read - Delhi Assembly passes bill to amend Fire Service Act to streamline fire safety regulations Interacting with the beneficiaries, Gupta said a bicycle is more than just a mode of transport. "A bicycle is not merely a means of transport but also a way to support girls' education and help them pursue their dreams," she said, adding that the government is committed to ensuring that distance from school or transport-related difficulties do not become obstacles in any girl's education. Highlighting the broader objective of the scheme, the Chief Minister said the government is working to make education more accessible and convenient for girls by providing better facilities and equal opportunities. Also Read - Delhi CM, Speaker, ministers take out Tiranga Yatra in Assembly "Investment in girls' education is an investment in the bright future of society," she said, urging students to use the bicycles to pursue their education with determination, set ambitious goals and move ahead with confidence. Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood described the programme as part of a larger transformation of the capital's education system. "Under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta Ji, Delhi's school education is moving towards historic change," he said. Sood added that distributing bicycles is not merely about providing transport but also about empowering girls to become self-reliant, overcome barriers and continue their education without interruption. He said the government remains committed to ensuring that no girl student in Delhi is left behind because of mobility or access-related challenges. Students who received the bicycles expressed enthusiasm, saying the initiative would make daily travel to school easier, save commuting time and enable them to focus more on their studies with greater confidence. The government said the scheme forms part of its broader efforts to improve educational access and create a supportive learning environment for girls across the national capital.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.