Jammu: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on Tuesday distributed free laptops to meritorious female students in his parliamentary constituency, calling it the “best Diwali gift” to promote ease of education and preparation for competitive exams.
Singh said that over the past 11 years, the Narendra Modi-led government has worked consistently to ensure “ease of education” in line with students’ growing aspirations. Highlighting the reforms under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, he noted that students now have the freedom to choose subjects based on their aptitude and interests.
“On this auspicious occasion of Diwali, this is the best gift for meritorious students—to make learning and exam preparation easier. Just as we talk about ease of doing business and ease of living, this initiative promotes ease of education,” Singh told reporters after the distribution event.
The minister personally gifted laptops to girl students from five districts of his Lok Sabha constituency who had topped the Class 10 board examinations. Some recipients from remote areas such as Chhatroo and Padar (Kishtwar) and Pogal (Ramban) were invited to Singh’s Trikuta Nagar residence for breakfast.
He said the initiative was inspired by his experience in ministries dealing with students and youth. “Today’s students are no longer bound by their parents’ choices. They have the liberty to pursue subjects of their liking—there is a true democratisation of opportunities and aspirations in India,” he remarked.
Singh also underlined the increasing participation of women in diverse fields, noting that of the 1.75 lakh registered start-ups in India, 50,000–60,000 are women-led. He added that in this year’s Civil Services Examination, all three all-India toppers were women, and in 2022, the 11th rank holder was a girl from Poonch Degree College. Women also played leading roles in India’s major space missions such as Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1, he said.
Encouraging students to use technology for academic excellence and social progress, the minister reaffirmed that the Modi government has ensured the democratisation of educational opportunities for all sections and genders across the country.
