THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, January 11: On the 82nd birth anniversary of Dishom Guru Shibu Soren, Chief Minister Hemant Soren said that although Guruji is no longer among us, his ideals, struggles, sacrifices, and contributions continue to guide Jharkhand.
Addressing youth at a dialogue programme in Ranchi, the Chief Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to education and empowerment through the Guruji Student Credit Card Scheme.
Addressing the youth, the Chief Minister said this was the first time Guruji’s birth anniversary was being observed without him. “Baba is not with us today, but his ideals, thoughts, struggles, sacrifices and contributions will always remain alive,” he said.
“You Take One Step, Government Will Take Ten”
Calling the youth “Guruji’s soldiers,” Hemant Soren said, “You take one step forward and the government will take you ten steps ahead. We will ensure you reach your destination—this is our promise.”
Guruji’s Role in Jharkhand Movement
The Chief Minister said Jharkhand has been the land of brave heroes and martyrs such as Birsa Munda, Sido-Kanhu, and Dishom Guru Shibu Soren, who led the struggle for a separate state and fought social evils like the exploitative moneylending system. At Guruji’s call, tribals and indigenous people from across the region would take to the streets, he recalled.
Immense Potential, From Villages to Cities
Hemant Soren said Jharkhand has immense potential in minerals, tourism, education, sports, and other sectors, with no shortage of talent. The government, he said, is committed to empowering the state’s capabilities and nurturing talent across regions.
Youth’s Role in State Building
“Our ancestors gave us a separate state. Now the responsibility of beautifying and developing it rests on us,” he said, adding that Jharkhand cannot become a leading state without active public and youth participation.
He urged young people to help spread awareness about government welfare schemes and increase public participation, as schemes often fail to reach beneficiaries due to a lack of information.
Education at the Centre of Government Policy
The Chief Minister said the government is moving forward to educate every child. Initiatives include the Guruji Student Credit Card Scheme, 100% scholarships for higher education abroad, district-level libraries, and Chief Minister’s Excellence Schools for quality education of poor children.
He said children from tribal and Dalit communities are now pursuing higher education abroad—something once unimaginable.
First State to Offer ₹15 Lakh Education Loan at 4%
Hemant Soren said Jharkhand is the first state in the country to provide education loans of up to ₹15 lakh at a nominal interest rate of 4 percent under the Guruji Student Credit Card Scheme. He urged students to benefit from the scheme and motivate others to do so.
“We Don’t Want You to Rely Only on Government Jobs”
Addressing youth aspirations, the Chief Minister said the government wants to empower students so they can excel in any competition, anywhere in the country or the world, instead of depending only on government jobs.
Major Announcements and Launches
On the occasion, the Chief Minister:
- Distributed education loan approval letters worth ₹12 crore to 55 beneficiaries under the Guruji Student Credit Card Scheme. So far, 2,430 students have benefited.
- Launched a Public Dashboard and AI-based chatbot developed by NIT Jamshedpur to improve access to welfare schemes.
- Awarded ₹25,000 monthly scholarships to 23 research scholars under the CM Fellowship Academic Excellence Scheme.
- Launched the Grassroots Innovation Internship Scheme, offering 17,000 internship opportunities with a stipend of ₹10,000.
- Inaugurated the Master Sobren Manjhi District Library and Guruji Night School in Bokaro.
- Virtually inaugurated Guruji Vatika for the elderly in Bokaro and interacted with residents.
Beneficiaries Express Gratitude
Students from IIIT Ranchi and XISS Ranchi shared how the Guruji Student Credit Card Scheme helped them pursue higher education without financial burden.
Dignitaries Present
Higher Education Minister Sudivya Kumar, MLAs, Rajya Sabha MP Mahua Maji, Chief Secretary Avinash Kumar, DGP Tadasha Mishra, HRD Principal Secretary Rahul Purwar, senior officials, bank representatives, and a large number of students were present.
