New Delhi: At the sports complex in East Vinod Nagar Friday, Delhi govt launched Vidya Vahini Yojana, an initiative aimed at providing free bicycles to girls studying in govt schools.Addressing the gathering, chief minister Rekha Gupta described the initiative as “a celebration of our collective commitment to empowering every daughter,” and said the scheme reflected the govt’s focus on strengthening girls’ access to education. “A bicycle is not just a means of transport; it is a symbol of freedom, dignity and self-reliance for our daughters,” she said.As part of the launch, the CM distributed free bicycles to more than 3,000 Class IX girls. It seeks to ensure safe and convenient travel to school, save students’ time, improve regular attendance, reduce the risk of dropouts and ease the daily commuting concerns of parents. Nearly 1.4 lakh girl students will receive free bicycles in a phased manner under the scheme.Education minister Ashish Sood said the scheme was aimed at addressing one of the key barriers that many girls face after Class VIII, when they often have to travel longer distances to attend school. He said the govt was focusing on improving educational infrastructure and addressing the practical needs of students, adding that the scheme would make it easier for girls to continue their education by reducing transportation-related challenges.
