Inaugurates Space Education Lab and Planetarium, Distributes Bicycles Under Saraswati Cycle Scheme; Announces English-Medium Commerce Stream and Permanent Dome at Bakshi School
Published on: June 27, 2026
By: BTNI
Location: Rajnandgaon, India
Chhattisgarh Assembly Speaker Dr. Raman Singh attended the district-level School Enrollment Festival (Shala Praveshotsav) at Padumlal Punnalal Bakshi Government Excellence English and Hindi Medium School on Saturday. During the programme, he inaugurated the Space Education Lab and Planetarium, distributed bicycles to girl students under the Free Saraswati Cycle Scheme, and welcomed newly enrolled girls by offering them sweets.
On the occasion, Dr. Singh announced that English-medium Commerce education for Class XI will commence at the school from the current academic session. He also announced the construction of a permanent dome within the school campus for prayers and assembly.
The inauguration of the Space Education Lab and Planetarium marks the beginning of a new chapter in education in Rajnandgaon.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Raman Singh said the significance of the programme was enhanced as 6,100 bicycles are being distributed to girl students across the district under the Free Saraswati Cycle Scheme, with 120 bicycles distributed during the event at the school.
He said every effort is being made to ensure that more girls attend school and their education continues without interruption. As part of these initiatives, 82,358 students from Classes I to VIII have been provided free uniforms and textbooks, while 23,275 students of Classes IX and X are receiving free textbooks.
Highlighting the educational infrastructure at the institution, he said the school has received facilities including an auditorium, Space Education Lab, and Planetarium, along with well-developed educational arrangements.
Dr. Singh stated that daughters have brought laurels to Chhattisgarh in every field. Referring to cricketer Mahak Narwase, he said her selection in the Indian Under-19 Women’s Cricket Team as vice-captain has brought pride to Rajnandgaon district and the state.
He said girls are progressing in every sector and noted that the district’s Superintendent of Police, Chief Executive Officer of the Zila Panchayat, Zila Panchayat President, Vice-President of the Zila Panchayat, Janpad Vice-President, and the Chairperson of the Rajgami Sampada Nyas are all women. He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ensured that daughters receive both respect and rights.
Calling Padumlal Punnalal Bakshi Government Excellence English and Hindi Medium School one of Rajnandgaon’s premier educational institutions, Dr. Singh said the school has consistently achieved a 99 per cent success rate in board examinations.
He said the government is continuously working to strengthen education and referred to the recently organised Guidance Programme in the district, where young IAS officers selected through the Union Public Service Commission shared their experiences with students.
Urging students to remain dedicated to academics, he advised them to study sincerely, maintain distance from mobile phones for the sake of their education, and refrain from making social media reels. He encouraged them to prepare for careers as Collectors, Superintendents of Police, teachers, doctors, engineers, and various other professions through hard work and disciplined study.
Dr. Singh also informed that once the Nalanda Campus Library, being developed in Rajnandgaon at an estimated cost of Rs 18–20 crore, becomes operational, aspirants preparing for competitive examinations will no longer need to purchase books.
He further stated that facilities for a boxing ring and archery have been made available on the school campus and extended his congratulations and best wishes to everyone.
Member of Parliament Santosh Pandey congratulated students, parents, and teachers on the School Enrollment Festival. He said that Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai had designated the period from June 16 to June 27 for the statewide celebration of Shala Praveshotsav.
He described the programme as significant not only for students but also for parents, calling it an auspicious beginning in the pursuit of education. He noted that the government has made extensive preparations to strengthen school education, including the distribution of bicycles to girl students.
The MP urged students to study diligently and develop their talents. Referring to the inauguration of the Planetarium, he said it would help students understand stars, constellations, and astronomical phenomena, while the Space Education Lab had already showcased impressive scientific knowledge presented by girl students.
Chief Executive Officer of the Zila Panchayat Suruchi Singh, while presenting the departmental report, informed that the Space Education Lab and Planetarium were constructed at a cost of Rs 25 lakh each under the District Mineral Foundation (DMF). She also announced the divisional-level inauguration of the boxing ring established on the school campus.
She noted that the school recorded 99 per cent results in both Class X and Class XII board examinations. She further stated that the district administration has been organising guidance programmes for students preparing for IAS, NEET, JEE, CLAT, and various other competitive examinations.
The programme was attended by Mayor Madhusudan Yadav, Zila Panchayat President Kiran Vaishnav, Janpad Panchayat Rajnandgaon President Pratima Chandrakar, Zila Panchayat Vice-President Kiran Sahu, District Cooperative Central Bank Chairman Sachin Baghel, Rajgami Sampada Nyas Chairperson Purnima Sahu, District Cooperative Central Bank Vice-Chairman Bharat Verma, Komal Singh Rajput, former MP Pradeep Gandhi, Khoobchand Parkh, Bhavesh Baid, Uttam Sahu, Janbhagidari Committee Chairman Devsharan Sahu, Raja Makhija, Khomin Yadav, Amrita Sinha, Gaurav Gupta, Shiv Verma, Anita Sinha, Superintendent of Police Ankita Sharma, Additional Collector C.L. Markandey, Municipal Commissioner Atul Vishwakarma, District Education Officer Pravas Singh Baghel, school Principal Sunita Khare, along with other public representatives, officials, students, and parents.
The newly inaugurated Space Education Lab and Planetarium are expected to encourage scientific thinking, curiosity, and innovation among students. The facility introduces children to the world of science through rocket science, Chandrayaan-3, the lives of scientists, drone piloting, Mangalyaan, and the journey of ISRO. Students will also gain knowledge about solar eclipses, lunar eclipses, and other astronomical phenomena, inspiring them to take confident steps toward a scientific future.
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