Anundoram Borooah “Award” to be Replaced by “Scholarship” from Next Year

CM Dr. Sarma Attends Ceremonial Distribution of Anundoram Borooah Award to 27,183 Meritorious Students from Across the State

CM Also Launches PM SHRI Scheme for State covering 264 Schools

Draw Inspiration from Life, Achievements of Anundoram Borooah: CM to Students

Anundoram Borooah “Award” to be Replaced by “Scholarship” from Next Year; to Cover 30,000 Students Annually: CM Dr. Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday attended as Chief Guest the centrally-held ceremonial distribution of Anundoram Borooah Award for 2023 organized at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra here by the School Education Department of Government of Assam. A total of 27,183 students across the State who had secured a minimum of 75% or above in the High School Leaving Certificate Examination 2023 have been awarded with a cash amount of Rs. 15,000 each by the Government of Assam through the Anundoram Borooah Award costing a total of approximately Rs. 40.77 crores. The Chief Minister also launched PM SHRI, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, for the State. Under PM SHRI scheme for Assam, a total of Rs. 127.46 crores have been approved for the year 2023-24 that would be utilized for academic and infrastructure strengthening of 264 schools across the State.

Speaking at the occasion, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma said Anundoram Borooah Award was launched in the year 2005 with the aim of inculcating a spirit of competitiveness among the students of the State and familiarizing them with the skills needed for acquiring of knowledge through the medium of modern technologies. Since its launch, a total of 4,13,400 students have been managed to secure this award, Dr. Sarma added. The government had named the award after Anundoram Borooah so that youths of the school-going youths of the State could become familiar with the achievements of this great son of mother Assam and draw inspiration from them. Chief Minister Dr. Sarma spoke at lengths about the inspiring life of AnundoramBorooah and appealed to the students to work tirelessly towards fulfilling their dreams through determination and hard-work, as was displayed by the first Assamese Indian Civil Service (ICS) officer after whom the award is named.

Speaking about PM SHRI that has been ceremonially launched today for the State, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma said the Central government had launched the Centrally Sponsored Scheme with the aim of providing students with an environment where they feel cared for and one that provides them ample avenues for academic and all-round growth complemented by good physical school infrastructure. The schools selected under PM SHRI, apart for incorporating the elements of the National Education Policy 2020 and transforming themselves into model schools, shall provide mentorships to schools located in nearby locations. The Chief Minister added PM SHRI shall focus on promoting conceptual understanding among the students and the use of knowledge and acquired skills in everyday-life.

Referring to the students of the current era as “Amrit Santan of Amrit Kaal”, Chief Minister appealed to them to focus on acquiring of multifaceted knowledge to stay relevant in highly-competitive world of today.

Chief Minister Dr. Sarma stated from next year onwards, Anundoram Borooah Award shall cease to exist and its shall be replaced by Anundoram Borooah “Scholarship” that would be provided to 30,000 students annually. Of the 30,000 students, 10,000 students shall be from fifth standard while another 10,000 shall belong to the 8^th standard. Each of them shall be awarded with a fixed deposit of Rs. 15,000 each. The remaining 10,000 shall be from the 10^th standard who shall be paid a cash amount of Rs. 15,000 each, the Chief Minister added.

The event was also attended by Education Minister Dr. Ranoj Pegu, Forest Minister Chandramohan Patowary, along with a host of other dignitaries.