Kumar Bahukhandi
Industry Minister Lakhan Lal Dewangan presents education kits to students of Government Minimata Girls’ College during the Deeksharambh programme in Korba on Monday, September 7, 2026. Around 1,500 students of the college were provided education kits through CSR support-Photo Credit:channel24india.com via CG/DPR
Industry Minister says educating girls strengthens families, society and Chhattisgarh; massive dome planned at Minimata Girls’ College through DMF funds
Korba: Chhattisgarh Industry Minister Lakhan Lal Dewangan on Monday, September 7, 2027 underlined the importance of women’s education in building an empowered society as education kits were distributed to around 1,500 students of Government Minimata Girls’ College, Korba, through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) support.
Attending the college’s Deeksharambh programme as chief guest, Dewangan welcomed newly admitted students under the framework of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and encouraged them to make full use of educational opportunities available to them.
“The more our daughters study, the stronger our families, society and the State will become,” Dewangan said, placing women’s education at the centre of social and economic empowerment.
The education kits were presented to students by the dignitaries attending the programme. Korba Mayor Sanju Devi Rajput was present as the special guest, while Collector Kunal Dudawat attended as a distinguished guest.
Major Dome Planned for Minimata Girls’ College
Giving a significant boost to infrastructure at the institution, Dewangan announced that a large dome would be constructed at Government Minimata Girls’ College using District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds.
He also indicated that similar infrastructure would be developed at other government colleges, strengthening facilities available to students.
The initiative assumes particular importance in a district such as Korba, where DMF resources can play a substantial role in improving educational infrastructure and opportunities for young people.
Youth and Women Central to Chhattisgarh’s Development
Dewangan said young people would have a decisive role in achieving Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed India and Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai’s goal of a developed Chhattisgarh by 2047.
He referred to the development approach centred on GYAN — Garib (poor), Yuva (youth), Annadata (farmers) and Nari (women) — and said education would remain fundamental to empowering these sections.
Highlighting progress in higher education, the Minister said Chhattisgarh’s Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) had increased from 19.6 per cent in 2021–22 to 27.5 per cent at present, attributing the progress to the implementation of NEP 2020.
‘Work Hard and Aim High’
Korba Mayor Sanju Devi Rajput described the students as an important part of India’s future and encouraged them to pursue their goals with determination.
She urged the young women to continue working hard despite challenges and strive to reach the highest levels of achievement.
Collector Kunal Dudawat, meanwhile, said education was being accorded special priority in the utilisation of DMF funds in Korba district.
He said financial assistance would be provided to eligible students from the district pursuing higher studies at government colleges elsewhere in the country, widening opportunities for students seeking education beyond Korba.
College Principal Papia Chaturvedi, faculty members, local councillors, public representatives and a large number of students attended the programme.
The distribution of education kits, coupled with the proposed infrastructure expansion, gave the Deeksharambh programme a wider message: investment in the education of young women is not merely assistance to individual students, but an investment in the social and economic future of Chhattisgarh.
