In Kasaragod, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan made a strong call on Thursday: No student from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), or other marginalized communities should get left behind as the state pushes toward a knowledge-driven future.
Speaking at an event in the Durga Higher Secondary School Auditorium in Kanhangad, Vijayan stressed that Kerala’s top priority is bringing these groups into the mainstream. The government aims to offer equal chances in education, jobs, and social welfare for everyone.
The message ties into a new campaign kicking off on Gandhi Jayanti. Its motto—”Leap towards knowledge and employment”—echoes Mahatma Gandhi’s dream of true social inclusion. Vijayan spotlighted key Kerala government initiatives that empower SC and ST communities and other underserved groups.
Take the Unnathi Scholarship, for instance. It has already helped more than 1,000 SC and ST students chase higher education dreams abroad.
Kerala’s skill development programs also shine. They provide technical training that lands jobs for these students within just six months of finishing the courses.
Vijayan pointed to the Palakkad Medical College as a big win. It admits 72 SC and ST students each year. Since 2014, 413 SC students and 15 ST students have graduated as doctors, now boosting the state’s healthcare system.
The Training for Career Excellence (TRACE) program steps in too. It offers paid training to over 5,000 young people in fields like engineering, law, nursing, paramedics, management, and journalism.
He also praised the Smart Study Room initiative, which funds Rs 2.5 lakh per setup to create better learning spaces. On the housing front, schemes like LIFE and SAFE make sure marginalized families get safe, secure homes.
Through the e-Grants program, Kerala supports over 13 lakh students with pre- and post-matric scholarships—no family income check needed. That includes 4.5 lakh SC students and 80,000 from ST communities.
Vijayan wrapped up by highlighting broader drives on sanitation, anti-drug efforts, healthcare, job opportunities, rights education, and disaster readiness. “Our promise,” he said, “is to spread the benefits of development and welfare to every corner, ensuring no one gets left out.”
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