Dikhyaa Mohanty 
A cutting-edge program called “Enlight 2.0” has been introduced by the Commissionerate Police to aid in the education of girl children of rag pickers and residents of economically underprivileged areas of the city. 200 girls from five local slums—Sikharchandi Nagar, Sikharchandi Nagar Muslim, Saibanaphula, Tarini, and Patra—were chosen for the program in the first round. As part of the project, learning centers are established in each slum where designated girl students in classes V through VIII would receive educational help. Every day for an hour in the morning and two hours in the evening, volunteers will tutor students in math, science, English, and other disciplines.
It was discovered that although daughters of rag pickers attend government schools, they are unable to enrol in private lessons due to financial restrictions. Several members of the minority group were forced to stop their daughters’ schooling in certain circumstances. In every one of these situations, parents will receive counselling and advice on how to keep their kids in school. As part of its “Basti Ku Chala” campaign, Bhubaneswar UPD has partnered with Aide et Action, Perspectives, and Capgemini for the programme.
“Students will enjoy this education programme as songs, dance, storytelling, games and other activities will be part of it. Children will get an opportunity to learn through fun activities and it will be an enjoyable experience for them,” said police commissioner Saumyendra Kumar Priyadarsi.
According to the organisers, financial aid will also be given to the recognised girl students who plan to enrol in graduate, medical, engineering, and other higher education programmes in the upcoming years.
