By Chandan Singh | Page 3 News Worldwide
New Delhi: Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood distributed 432 bicycles to Class 9 girl students at a government girls’ school in Janakpuri, highlighting the government’s focus on modernising school infrastructure and promoting students’ confidence and independence.
The distribution took place under the Vidya Vahini Yojana, launched on July 31, 2026. Around 26,000 bicycles have been distributed across Delhi under the scheme so far, according to the press note.
Emphasising that education should go beyond examination scores, Sood said students’ confidence, communication skills and subject knowledge were crucial to their future prospects.
“When a candidate applies for a job, recruiters often set the mark sheet aside first. What truly opens doors for you is how confidently you speak and how well you understand your subject. This bicycle is not just a gift—it is a tool to boost your self-confidence and independence,” he said.
The minister urged parents to encourage their daughters to ride bicycles and become more independent. He also inspected upgraded facilities, including smart classrooms, digital libraries and language labs.
Highlighting the transformation of government schools, Sood said students had moved from learning on traditional jute mats and writing on wooden slates to using smart boards, Chromebooks and other digital learning tools.
In Janakpuri, the infrastructure upgrades include 255 smart classrooms, two digital libraries, four information and communication technology (ICT) labs and five language labs.
Across Delhi government schools, 9,000 smart boards and 20,000 computers have been installed this year, with an equal number of each planned for the next financial year, the press note said.
Students are also being introduced to a range of international and Indian languages, including French, German, Spanish, Sanskrit and Kannada.
Sood encouraged students to make full use of digital learning facilities, global books available through Chromebooks, experiential education aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) and career counselling centres.
Addressing the students, he linked their educational journey to India’s development goals for 2047, when the country aims to become a developed nation.
“You are in the 9th grade today. By 2047, when India becomes a fully developed nation, you will be at the peak of your careers. Viksit Bharat is sitting right here inside this hall,” he said, urging them to use the available resources and work towards building a developed India.
