For girls in remote villages, cycling has become a means of reaching school, saving time and increasing their confidence.

Sedam students say they no longer have to walk long distances, they reach school on time, and they also have extra time for studies.

Raipur, October 2026 / For girls traveling to school through village trails and long roads, a bicycle is more than just a means of transport, but it can be a companion that eases their path to education. Amidst challenges like distance from home to school, commuting time, changing weather, and a lack of transportation, the Saraswati Cycle Scheme is helping girls from remote rural areas attend school regularly.

Rajni Ekka, Gayatri Yadav, Sonia, Rajni Sahu, and Neetu Yadav, students of Government High School, Sedam, located in the Batauli development block of Surguja district, are also experiencing this change in their lives. Once a long journey to school on foot, bicycles have made commuting easier for these students. They're saving time and reducing their dependence on others.

Not a bicycle, but a means to facilitate access to education

Through the Chhattisgarh government's Saraswati Cycle Scheme, free bicycles are provided to eligible girl students studying in grade 9. Its purpose is to facilitate girls' travel to and from school and to encourage girls' education.

The scheme's importance is particularly evident in rural and remote areas, where the distance between home and school is long and public transportation is limited. In such circumstances, walking to school daily is challenging for girls, both in terms of time and effort. With a bicycle, this distance can be covered in less time.

Earlier she used to reach school on foot, now she is saving time

Students at Government High School, Sedam, say that before receiving bicycles, they had to walk to and from school. This was time-consuming and tiring, and this problem was exacerbated during hot, rainy, and cold weather.

Now, they are able to reach school in less time by cycling. Along with arriving on time, returning home also takes less time. Students say that the time saved on commuting is now being used for studies and other important household tasks.

The experiences of Rajni Ekka, Gayatri Yadav, Sonia, Rajni Sahu, and Neetu Yadav demonstrate how a transportation facility can make daily learning easier for students. They now have less need to rely on others to get them to school.

“Now I reach school on time and have more time to study.”

The students said that getting bicycles has made commuting to school much easier. Previously, walking took more time and effort. Now, reaching school in less time is helping them maintain regular studies.

She says that the time saved by commuting by bicycle gives her extra time for studies. It has also made it easier to better balance her household chores and studies. This convenience has also increased her enthusiasm for going to school, and she hopes to continue studying diligently and pursue higher education.

The confidence of daughters also got new strength

The impact of the Saraswati Cycle Scheme is not limited to reducing the distance to school. Riding their own bicycles to school is also making students more self-reliant in their daily commute. Previously, many students had to walk or rely on a family member, but now they are reaching school on their own.

This experience is also a confidence booster for the students. Charting their own path to school inspires them to move forward and persevere in their educational goals.

Girl education is getting a strong foundation

Girls' education plays a vital role in the progress of any society. The easier it is to access schools, the more convenient it is for girls to remain regularly engaged in education. In remote areas, personal transportation devices like bicycles help meet this need.