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Time of India
a day ago
- General
- Time of India
Kanyashree brought Bengal girls' primary dropout rate to zero: CM
1 2 Kolkata: Ninety-three lakh Kanyashree recipients, including Pratima Rai, who scaled Mt Everest, and Arfin Jabee, who swam the English Channel, have helped bring Bengal girl primary school dropout rate to zero, CM Mamata Banerjee said on Thursday as she felicitated Kanyashree achievers who excelled in diverse professional fields such as medicine, law enforcement, academics and art. Kanyashree, a UNESCO-awarded scheme, provides cash incentives to unmarried girls to study, aiming to stop early marriages and school dropouts. Kanyashree entered its 12th year on Thursday. The CM said, "It is not just about academics; girls can do vocational training, karate, judo. Some have become pilots, engineers, doctors, dancers and footballers — everything. In 2011-12, the dropout rate for girls in primary education was 4.7%; today, it is zero. In secondary education, the dropout rate for girls was 16.3%; in 2023–24, it was 2.9%. In higher secondary, it was 15.4%; now it is 3.2%. Is this not something to be proud of?" You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata | Gold Rates Today in Kolkata | Silver Rates Today in Kolkata "I first conceived the idea in 2013, 12 years ago. After my father passed away, I sold one of my necklaces to enroll in college. We had no facilities, no advantages. This generation's students and youth should not suffer like that; they must be self-reliant. I urge parents not to pressure girls into marriage; they can be self-dependent," the CM said. "Earlier, Kanyashree was just in schools. I saw parents wanting to get their girls married under pressure. Today, in all state schools, they are all Kanyashrees. In colleges, they get Kanyashree-2, and in universities, Kanyashree-3. I was very proud the day I stood at the United Nations forum in the Netherlands. Almost 600 programmes from around the world were present, and Kanyashree was awarded the first prize," the CM said. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Independence Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
Time of India
20-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Darjeeling student first NCC girl from Bengal to summit Everest
Siliguri: A 19-year-old student from Ghum, Darjeeling, successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest as part of a National Cadet Corps (NCC) all-girls expedition team. A political science student at St Joseph's College, Pratima Rai was the only female cadet selected from Bengal for the prestigious mission. She was among 19 cadets from across India chosen after a rigorous selection process that began in Sept last year. The team departed from Delhi in March to begin their expedition. The NCC girls' team reached the summit of the world's highest peak at 3am on May 18, marking a historic achievement. Captain Dhiraj Bhraman, associate NCC officer of St Joseph's College, told TOI, "The girls' team of the NCC has successfully climbed Mount Everest. Pratima's dedication and achievement are a milestone for our institution and a proud moment for the entire region. Her remarkable achievement stands as a testament to courage, endurance, and the spirit of the youth, encouraging more young women from the hills to dream big and scale new heights. " B Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch Bitcoin và Ethereum - Không cần ví! IC Markets BẮT ĐẦU NGAY Undo hraman also confirmed that Pratima and others were currently descending towards the base camp and were in good health. The college administration has lauded Pratima's feat, describing it as a "moment of immense pride" and a significant chapter in its history. "Pratima's extraordinary journey is expected to serve as a powerful inspiration for students throughout the region," said college authorities in a statement.
