Astam Oraon named brand ambassador for girls’ edu

Gumla: Astam Oraon, the captain of Indian women’s football team that participated in the Fifa U-17 Women’s World Cup earlier this month, was on Wednesday named the brand ambassador for the state government-run Savitribai Phule Kishori Samriddhi Yojana (SPKSY) by the Gumla district administration.
Oraon, who is a native of Gorratoli village in Bishunpur block of rebel-hit Gumla, is enrolled in Class XII of St. Columbus Collegiate School, Hazaribag.
On Wednesday, she along with her teammate Sudha Anita Tirkey, who is also a native of the district, was felicitated by Gumla deputy commissioner (DC) Sushant Gaurav.
“We are proud of both of both the daughters of Gumla as they earned a name not only for the district but also the state. Ashtam has been made the brand ambassador and it will help us get a wider outreach for the scheme,” the DC said.
Speaking to TOI, Astam said. “I am proud to be appointed the brand ambassador of SPKSY scheme in the district. I request the girls to avail the scheme and pursue higher studies for progressing in life.”
The state government offers an annual scholarship of Rs 2,500 for girls who are enrolled in Classes VIII and IX, and Rs 5,000 for those studying in Classes X to XII, besides a one-time scholarship of Rs 20,000 for higher studies, post schooling.
The Hemant Soren-led government aims to enrol nine lakh girls under the scheme in coming months.
District social welfare officer Sita Pushpa said the district targets to cover 35,000 girl students under the SPKSY by November 14.