The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Prevent school droupouts, Barnala tells voluntary organisations

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Monday, Sep 17, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Prevent school droupouts, Barnala tells voluntary organisations

Staff Reporter

Urban-rural divide, low family income are the root-causes, he says

— PHOTO: M. VEDHAN

REWARDING PERFORMANCE: Governor S.S. Barnala distributing scholarship to a student at the function of Chennai Goods Transport Association Charitable Trust on Sunday. Trust chairman B.R. Punia (left) and managing trustee N.K. Singla are in the picture.

CHENNAI: Voluntary and non-governmental organisations, in coordination with the district administration and elected panchayat representatives, should take it as a mission to check school dropouts, Governor Surjit Singh Barnala said here on Sunday.

“Huge gaps between rural and urban areas, low family income and appalling economic conditions are the root cause for [school] dropouts,” he said at a function organised by the Chennai Goods Transport Association (CGTA) Charitable Trust to distribute scholarships to meritorious children of the Association members. He lauded the efforts of the Association in recognising meritorious students with cash prizes and praised it for motivating the young students.

Camps for drivers

He said it should organise training camps for drivers and cleaners to reduce road accidents. “I am pleased to learn that [you] have future plans to assist accident victims, help drivers and cleaners who meet with accidents and rehabilitate them.”

The Governor also urged the Association members to work towards recognition of their industry along with that of the dhabba wallas (roadside eateries) “for their yeomen service in providing food” to truck drivers. “

There was a time when Punjabis were employed as truck drivers in Kolkata and Mumbai, but slowly they were pushed out. During the Indo-Pak war in 1965, it was the truck drivers who took meals from the villages to the military outposts and carried material to the war front. I agree and feel the same way as you that recognition is needed for transport drivers,” he said.

This year, the CGTA Charitable Trust selected 67 school students from Classes VI to XII and distributed scholarships ranging from Rs.1,000 to Rs.15,000 each.

Every year, the donation for the scholarship comes from the member companies.

The scholarship programme was launched in 2001 . Over the past six years, 153 students have received scholarships, managing trustee N.K. Singla said.

Chairman of the Trust B.R. Punia, treasurer R.K. Dewan and former chairman Rajinder Singh spoke.

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