Sabooj Sathi
Category: Social welfare & Empowerment
Level: State | State: West Bengal

Details:
The Sabooj Sathi Scheme is a student welfare initiative launched by the government of West Bengal, India, to provide bicycles to students in the state. The scheme aims to promote education and empower students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, by providing them with a means of transportation to and from school.
_Under the scheme, bicycles are distributed free of cost to students studying in government and government-aided schools from classes IX to XII. The scheme is implemented by the Department of School Education, West Bengal, in collaboration with the Department of Panchayats and Rural Development._ **Hon’ble Finance Minister, in his Budget Speech of 2015-2016, announced a scheme for the distribution of bicycles to an estimated 40 lakh students studying in classes IX to XII in Government, Government Aided Schools, and Madrasahs of the State. He announced that around 25 lakh students would be covered in 2015-16 and the remaining 15 lakhs in the next fiscal.** By now, this scheme is well-known as “Sabooj Sathi” as coined by Hon’ble Chief Minister herself and it reflects her desire to see young students empowered to achieve new feats in the future through the bicycles provided under the scheme. She also created the scheme logo which is firmly attached in the basket in front of the bicycle. Hon’ble CM flagged off the distribution in October 2015 from Paschim Medinipur.
The scheme has been successful in achieving its objectives, with over 80 lakh bicycles distributed to students across the state since its inception in 2015. The scheme has also received recognition from various national and international organizations for its impact on education and sustainable development. **The scheme was conceived with the primary objective of enhancing student access to Secondary Education. The scheme is further expected-** 1. _To increase retention in schools,_
1. _To encourage students to take up higher studies,_
1. _To inculcate sense of confidence among the girl students by promoting mobility,_
1. _To promote environment-friendly and healthy means of transportation._
1. _The objectives are aligned with four Sustainable Goals of agenda 2030. These are SDG3: Good Health & Well-being, SDG4: Quality Education, SDG5: Gender Equality and SDG13: Climate actions._ **The scheme has several objectives, including:** - _Enhancing the attendance and retention of students in schools, especially among girls, who often face transportation-related challenges._
- _Encouraging students to pursue their education beyond the primary level and complete their higher studies._
- _Promoting social inclusion and reducing drop-out rates among disadvantaged students._
- _Supporting the government's efforts towards sustainable development by reducing the carbon footprint through the use of bicycles as a means of transportation._

Benefits:
Here are some of the benefits of the SABOOJ SATHI Scheme:

Encourages Education:
 SABOOJ SATHI Scheme encourages education by providing bicycles to students, which helps them in attending school regularly.
Health Benefits:
 Cycling is a form of exercise, and the scheme encourages students to adopt a healthy lifestyle and remain physically fit.
Saves Time and Money:
 The scheme saves the time and money of the students who have to otherwise walk long distances to reach school.
Environmental Benefits:
 Encouraging cycling as a mode of transportation reduces the carbon footprint, making it an eco-friendly initiative.
Empowerment:
 SABOOJ SATHI Scheme promotes the empowerment of girl students by providing them with bicycles, making it easier for them to travel to school.
Enhanced Mobility:
 The scheme provides enhanced mobility to students who live in remote areas, which makes it easier for them to attend school.
Reduces Dropout Rates:
 By providing bicycles to students, the scheme reduces dropout rates, as it becomes easier for students to attend school regularly.
Overall, the SABOOJ SATHI Scheme has several benefits and has been successful in encouraging education, improving health, promoting empowerment, and reducing dropout rates.

Eligibility Criteria:
The SABOOJ SATHI Scheme is a government initiative launched by the West Bengal government to provide bicycles to students studying in government-run and government-aided schools from class IX to XII. ***The eligibility criteria for the SABOOJ SATHI Scheme are as follows:*** 1. **Age Limit:** The student must be between 13 to 18 years of age.1. **Schooling:** The student must be studying in a government-run or government-aided school in West Bengal.1. **Residency:** The student must be a permanent resident of West Bengal.1. **Family Income:** The family income of the student should not exceed Rs. 2 lakh per annum.1. **Distance:** The student should live at least 2 km away from their school.1. **Attendance:** The student must have at least 60% attendance in the last academic year.1. **Ownership:** The student should not already own a bicycle.1. **Class:** The student must be studying in class IX to XII. _It is important to note that the eligibility criteria may vary depending on the specific guidelines of the scheme in each state or region. Additionally, the application process and required documents may differ depending on the government's instructions._