The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Confidence, their middle name

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 07, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Confidence, their middle name

Special Correspondent

Union Minister Jairam Ramesh interacting with students in Hyderabad on Sunday.

HYDERABAD: In a yellow kurthi and pajama, S. Rajitha walked up to the dais and announced that she fared well in the recent EAMCET, adding she was confident of a medicine seat. Thrilled by the demonstration of grit of a tribal girl from Khammam district, Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh clapped for long. In graceful acknowledgement, Rajita told him it wasn't all. She would meet him as a doctor.

Vimala from Marlavai (Adilabad) was not far behind. She clutched the mike to announce she was confident of going abroad, if opportunities were available, for she was pursuing MCA.

Rajitha, Vimala and many others - some pursuing post-graduate courses in computer science and a few angling for a law seat, echoed similar views at the inaugural of a post-matric hostel for tribal girls, hailing from the most disadvantaged parts of the State, built under Indira Kranthi Patham at Adikmet here.

Mr. Jairam Ramesh contributed Rs. 25 lakh from his MP Local Area Development funds and the Centre granted Rs. 50 lakh. The Tribal Welfare Department too contributed Rs. 25 lakh for the building that can accommodate 110 girls. The Union Minister suggested that State Government not use the word `primitive' in reference to those who were being hitherto called `primitive tribal groups'. Instead, he said, they should be called `original tribal groups' or `adivasis', for they were progressing on a par with other sections of society.

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