Scholarship Programme for Meritorious Students from Tendu Leaf Collector Families Highlights Educational Achievements and Aspirations
Students Encouraged to Set Goals, Work Hard and Contribute to Nation-Building Through Diverse Careers
Published on: June 07, 2026
By: BTNI
Location: Rajnandgaon, India
Scholarship Programme Honors Meritorious Students
Chhattisgarh Assembly Speaker Dr. Raman Singh attended a special programme at the Speaker House in Rajnandgaon organized under the scholarship scheme for meritorious students belonging to tendu leaf collector families.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Singh said that the talented children honored at the event had achieved remarkable academic success despite coming from remote forest regions where access to facilities remains limited.
He noted that interacting with such students demonstrates how confidence, determination and natural talent can emerge even under challenging circumstances.
Students from Forest Areas Setting New Benchmarks
Dr. Singh highlighted that many of the students’ parents earn their livelihood through tendu leaf collection, yet their children continue to excel academically and compete with students from urban areas.
“These achievements reflect the natural abilities, talent and self-confidence of children from forest regions,” he said.
Encouraging the students, he urged them to set clear goals and pursue their studies with dedication and perseverance.
Success Beyond Medicine and Engineering
The Assembly Speaker advised students not to limit their aspirations to professions such as medicine and engineering alone. He encouraged them to explore careers as professors, lawyers, teachers and professionals in various fields while contributing to the nation’s progress.
He also recalled the introduction of the Charan Paduka Scheme, which provided footwear to forest dwellers to protect them from injuries and infections suffered while collecting tendu leaves in forest areas.
Dr. Singh further referred to the success of Prayas Residential School in Dantewada and the state’s education hub initiatives, which have helped numerous students succeed in competitive examinations.
He also noted that the government had significantly increased tendu leaf collection rates, raising the standard rate from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,500.
Encouraging Students to Dream Big
During the programme, Dr. Singh personally interacted with students who had excelled academically. He encouraged students Namrata Netam and Prerna Sahu to speak confidently and express their aspirations without hesitation.
When the two students shared their ambition of becoming doctors, Dr. Singh advised them to serve rural communities after completing their medical education.
He also presented a lucky coin to student Hitesh and encouraged him to continue studying with dedication and focus.
Government Efforts Improving Educational Opportunities
Mayor Madhusudan Yadav said that scholarship assistance funded through tendu leaf profit-sharing benefits was helping students continue their education.
He highlighted several welfare initiatives, including the Charan Paduka Scheme, sari distribution programme, education incentive schemes and Prayas Residential Schools, which have contributed to improving the lives of tribal communities and strengthening educational opportunities.
He urged students to move forward with strong determination and serve the nation through their chosen professions.
District Panchayat President Kiran Vaishnav described the scholarship programme as a significant initiative supporting children from economically weaker tendu leaf collector families and helping them pursue quality education.
Scholarship Scheme Benefiting Hundreds of Students
Divisional Forest Officer Ayush Jain provided details about the Education Promotion Scholarship Scheme for tendu leaf collector families.
He stated that tendu leaves, often referred to as “green gold,” remain a vital source of livelihood for rural households.
During the 2026 tendu leaf collection season, a total of 16,517.502 standard bags of tendu leaves were collected in the district, with participation from 18,412 collector families. The total collection remuneration payable has been assessed at Rs 9.08 crore.
Apart from collection remuneration, tendu leaf collectors are also being provided benefits under various welfare schemes, including educational scholarships for their children.
According to Jain, under the Rajnandgaon District Union, 448 students received scholarship assistance amounting to Rs 60.81 lakh during 2025.
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Dignitaries Attend the Event
The programme was attended by District Panchayat Vice-Chairperson Kiran Sahu, District Cooperative Central Bank Chairman Sachin Baghel, Rajgami Sampada Nyas Chairperson Purnima Sahu, Komal Singh Rajput, Khoobchand Parakh, Rekha Meshram, Collector Jitendra Yadav, Superintendent of Police Ankita Sharma, District Panchayat CEO Suruchi Singh, SDM Gautam Patil, Forest Department SDOP Yogesh Sahu, Deputy Collector Aniket Sahu, along with public representatives, officials, beneficiary students and citizens.
