YUPIA/KHONSA : Meritorious girl students who excelled in the Class X and XII Board Examinations were felicitated under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme at separate programmes held in Papum Pare and Tirap districts on Wednesday.
In Papum Pare, the Women and Child Development (WCD) Department felicitated district toppers during a programme held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Hall in Yupia.
The awardees included Yangam Maying of PM Shri Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS), Doimukh, who topped Class X; Bamang Yamu of GHSS Kimin, topper in the Class XII Humanities stream; Nangram Lily of PM Shri GHSS Doimukh, topper in the Science stream; and Nabam Pumin of GHSS Sagalee, topper in the Commerce stream. Each received a cash award of ₹10,000 along with a citation.
Addressing the gathering, Papum Pare Deputy Commissioner Lobsang Tsering said education should not be confined to the acquisition of degrees but should contribute to the development of aptitude, skills and personality. He urged students to cultivate reading habits and remain informed about current affairs through regular reading of books and newspapers.
Highlighting the significance of the BBBP scheme, Tsering said it was launched to promote the welfare and education of the girl child and encouraged students to become responsible and morally upright citizens.
Papum Pare Superintendent of Police Taru Gusar said the awards were meant to motivate students to maintain consistency and strive for higher achievements. Deputy Director of School Education TT Tara noted that such recognition would inspire more girls to excel academically.
Earlier, WCD Deputy Director Jaya Aba highlighted the objectives of the BBBP scheme and said the annual felicitation programme aims to encourage girl students to pursue excellence with confidence and determination.
In Tirap district, the WCD Department organised a similar felicitation programme at the Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Hall in Khonsa to honour outstanding tribal girl students.
Addressing the function, Tirap DC Techu Aran said girls are excelling in academics, competitive examinations and leadership roles, often outperforming boys. He called upon parents to provide equal opportunities to daughters and sons and continue investing in girls’ education.
Congratulating the awardees, Aran described success as a continuous journey and encouraged the students to keep striving for greater accomplishments. He also stressed that educating girls contributes significantly to the progress of families and society.
In her welcome address, Tirap WCD Deputy Director Hacham Bangsia said the BBBP scheme seeks to ensure the survival, protection and education of the girl child while creating opportunities for girls to realise their full potential.
Under the scheme, first-position holders in Class X and XII received cash awards of ₹15,000 each, while second-position holders were awarded ₹10,000 each.
Among Government Schools, Nyiamjih Agan of Government Secondary School (GSS) Dadam and Nyari Rongsak of Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS) Borduria secured first positions in Class X and XII respectively, while Komnoap Nokbi of Government Town Secondary School (GTSS) Khonsa and Comvian Tesia of GHSS Khonsa secured second positions.
In the Government-Aided and Private Recognised Schools category, Chanyok Lowang of RK Sarada Mission School, Khonsa, secured first position in Class X, while Aaronsen C. Tangjang of the same school secured second position.
The programmes in both districts were attended by officials, teachers, parents and students, and underscored the importance of empowering girls through education and recognising academic excellence. (DIPR)
