The Delhi government distributed bicycles to 581 Class IX girls from two government schools in Janakpuri on Tuesday under the Vidya Vahini Yojana, an initiative intended to make school commutes easier, safer and more convenient for girls across the capital.
Education Minister Ashish Sood distributed the bicycles to students of Government Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya and Government Girls Senior Secondary School in A Block of Janakpuri. The distribution forms part of a wider government plan to provide bicycles to all 1.4 lakh Class IX students enrolled in Delhi government schools.
According to the government, nearly 18,000 girls across Delhi have received bicycles so far under the ongoing distribution drive. The scheme is aimed at supporting girls as they continue into secondary education, when travel distance and commuting arrangements can influence regular access to school.
Addressing students, parents and school officials, Sood said the initiative was intended to provide more than a means of transport. “The initiative goes far beyond simple transportation. For me, this joy is not merely that bicycles are being given to our daughters. My joy lies in the fact that while we perhaps could not attach wings to their dreams, we have given them wheels,” he said.
The minister described the bicycle as a symbol of freedom, self-reliance and independence. He said it could help young girls travel to school, visit nearby markets and run errands without depending on family members. Sood also urged mothers to encourage their daughters and build their confidence in riding independently.
The scheme places school access within the wider question of everyday urban mobility. For students travelling through neighbourhood streets, a bicycle can provide a direct commuting option where walking may take longer and family members may not always be available to accompany them. The government’s stated focus is on making the daily journey to school more manageable and secure.
The Janakpuri distribution involved two girls’ schools, but the planned coverage is citywide. The government has set a target of reaching all 1.4 lakh Class IX students in Delhi government schools, while the current distribution figure represents a portion of that proposed beneficiary base.
Sood also referred to other education initiatives, including smart classrooms, computer and language laboratories, innovation grants and free coaching for entrance examinations. He encouraged students to concentrate on conceptual learning and aim for admission to leading universities.
The next stage of the Vidya Vahini Yojana will involve continuing the distribution drive among eligible Class IX students in Delhi government schools. The government has not provided in the reported announcement a completion date for reaching the full target of 1.4 lakh students.
