Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said education remains the most powerful tool for empowerment of backward classes, as Goa marked the 135th birth anniversary of B. R. Ambedkar at Dr Ambedkar Park in Panaji.
Addressing the state-level programme, Sawant said the government’s priority is to strengthen educational opportunities for Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Classes, in line with Ambedkar’s vision. He urged meritorious students to pursue national-level competitive examinations such as NEET and JEE, assuring continued scholarship support.
The event was organised by the Goa government in collaboration with the Directorate of Social Welfare and the Goa State Scheduled Caste and Other Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation.
The Chief Minister also highlighted ongoing initiatives including Nari Shakti Adhiniyam, Nasha Mukt Bharat and Nasha Mukt Goa, saying these programmes are aimed at broader social empowerment.
Sawant virtually laid the foundation stone for an Ambedkar Bhavan at Porvorim and said the project will be completed within a year and inaugurated on the next Ambedkar Jayanti.
During the programme, financial assistance was distributed to 1,999 beneficiaries under various welfare schemes. Meritorious students were also felicitated for their academic performance.
The function was attended by Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phal Desai, Pernem MLA Pravin Arlekar, Chief Secretary V. Candavelou, Social Welfare Director Dipak Bandekar, SC/ST Commissioner Ravindra Gaonkar and other officials.
