lauding the efforts of Birsamuni Kumari — a class IV student at Kasturba Gandhi Girls’ School, Baghima, who had opposed her forcible marriage and lodged a written complaint to senior officials of Gumla district on Tuesday — Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Thursday announced a cash reward of Rs one lakh to her.
Also, the CM said the government will bear her education and marriage expenses. Kumari, whose marriage was to be solemnized on May 2 but cancelled, is the youngest among her siblings and her mother has passed away. The CM, who was on his second visit to schools in rural areas for spreading awareness on enrollment in schools under Vidyalay Chalen Chalayen campaign of the State Government, visited schools in Dumardih, Baghima, Silam, lodam and Kathitoli villages of Gumla district and said girls must come forward to secure their rights. Das said the State Government was committed to make Jharkhand an educated region.
“The vacant posts of the teachers will be filled up in two months and we need to use modern technology in education system,” he said. For motivating students towards IT, the CM said, tablet PCs would be given to students of KGBVs. In a bid to mobilise the masses towards education, the CM walked across villages in Gumla and met several students and their parents. Also, he distributed school uniforms, books and got several students admitted to schools.
"The social evils are the bad products of illiteracy. Give quality education to the kids. More than three lakh kids do not go to school in the State. We need to make people aware of the value of education," Das said. Also, he appealed the Mukhiyas, teachers and other village representatives to join him in his mission.
The CM also stressed on the need of making a bypass road in Gumla, construction of check dams and other irrigational facilities in the district devoid of enough water for agricultural purposes. Chief Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Secretary to CM Sunil Barnwal, HRD Secretary Aradhana Patnaik, DC, SP and senior officials of Gumla accompanied the CM during the visit.