Dr S R Naresh Ram makes an appeal to the State Government to introduce intra-district mini bus service for public transportation in the interior districts of the Nagaland to address the transportation difficulties faced by general public especially school children during the rainy season.
He suggests providing free passes to Government school children and women, ensuring their accessibility to educational institutions and promoting gender equality. He also recollects that one of his agenda in the BJP Election policy 2018 is to provide free bus service to women which was materialized as ‘Pink bus’ in the districts of Dimapur and Kohima for which he expresses his sincere appreciation to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio for making this policy to come into reality. He believes that CM will address this appeal too in the entire interior districts of Nagaland with a pilot project starting in Kiphire, an aspirational district notified by GOI where Dr Ram currently resides and notices the difficulties of the public on the ground.
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Kiphire being the interior most district faces unique challenges, particularly during the monsoon season. The heavy rainfall often leads to flooded roads, making it extremely challenging for school children to commute to their educational institutions.
Education is a fundamental right for every child, and it is our responsibility to ensure that all children have equal access to quality education, regardless of their geographical location. Unfortunately, the lack of reliable transportation facilities in Kiphire District hampers this goal, affecting the academic progress of numerous school children.
By introducing an intra-district mini bus service, we can alleviate the hardships faced by school children during the rainy season. The buses would be equipped to navigate the difficult terrains and flooded roads, providing a safe and comfortable mode of transportation for the children. This would not only enhance their access to education but also minimize the risks associated with walking long distances in hazardous conditions, Dr Ram emphasized.
Additionally, he appeals to the government to provide free passes for Government school children and women on these intra-district mini buses. This would further encourage the enrollment of children in schools and promote gender equality by ensuring that women have equal opportunities for education and employment.
He acknowledges the efforts made by the government to improve the educational infrastructure in the state and appreciate the commitment to the overall development of our region. However, he firmly believes that the introduction of an intra-district bus service is a vital step towards achieving inclusive education and ensuring the well-being of our school children.
He expresses that he is confident that this initiative will not only empower the children and women of the state but also contribute to the social and economic progress of the entire community.
Dr S R Naresh Ram is a Social activist & Ex-Co-Convenor, Policy & Research committee, BJP, Nagaland.
