Hero Cycles Ltd, the world’s largest bicycle manufacturer today launched a special bicycle for girls, stepping in to help Rajasthan’s girl students avail of the state government’s new scheme to provide them with bicycles to prevent drop outs and encourage them to pursue their education.
The bicycle, competitively priced to suit the demand arising out of the new government scheme, will be easily available in the open market to girls who are seeking to benefit from the new initiative.
Bicycles have turned out to be a major determinant in preventing school drop out rates among girls in Bihar, and there is no reason why this fete cannot be repeated in Rajasthan.
Rajasthan’s literacy rate is below the national average of 74% and its female literacy rate was the lowest in the country, according to the 2011 Census. Rajasthan Chief Minister Shri Ashok Gehlot has launched a series of initiatives to promote girl education in the state, including a scheme under which the state government would provide a cheque of Rs 2,500 girls admitted to class IX to buy bicycles.
“Bicycles can be a revolutionizing vehicle for girls as they increase mobility, cut travelling costs for students and empower the girls. We have seen notable results of making bicycles available to girl students in some other parts of the country,” said Mr Pankaj Munal, Managing Director and Co Chairman of Hero Cycles Ltd.
“As the Rajasthan government takes steps to encourage girl students complete their education, we want to support this endeavor by making low cost cycles easily available in the market,” he added.
For a low income family, a cycle can actually be a boon. More so for a girl in a state that is endeavoring hard towards progressiveness and education for all.