NEW DELHI: Delhi Education Minister Shri Ashish Sood today (October 9, 2026) inaugurated a state-of-the-art STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Lab at Dr. B. R. Ambedkar CM SHRI School, Janakpuri. On the same occasion, the Minister distributed free bicycles to 32 Class 9 girl students under the state’s Vidya Vahini Scheme. The dual initiative blends practical hands-on learning with improved mobility for girl students, marking a key milestone in the Delhi Government’s push toward future-ready public education. Former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan, Founder of the Shikhar Dhawan Foundation (SDF), joined the event alongside leadership teams from Da One Group and CSR partner Sportskeeda.
The new facility is the second STEM Lab set up under SDF’s STEM Shiksha program in collaboration with the Government of NCT of Delhi. Highlighting the vision behind experiential learning, Delhi Education Minister Shri Ashish Sood said:
"Our government does not want education for Delhi's children to remain confined to classrooms and textbooks. We want children not just to read, but to think, ask questions, experiment, fail, try again, and ultimately discover. Education is not merely about providing answers; it is about fostering the ability to ask the right questions."
The Minister emphasized that the STEM Lab will serve as a "laboratory of dreams" where government school students can move beyond rote learning to gain practical, technology-driven skills. Addressing the distribution of free bicycles under the Vidya Vahini Scheme, Shri Ashish Sood stated that the initiative is designed to empower young female students across the capital:
"The decision to give free bicycles to our Class 9 girls was not merely about distributing bicycles. It was a decision for their dignity, safety, independence, and education. While one step gives our daughters physical mobility, the STEM Lab gives them the mobility of knowledge and innovation."
Under the Vidya Vahini Scheme, the Delhi Government aims to provide bicycles to approximately 1.40 lakh Class 9 girl students, with nearly 20,000 bicycles already delivered. Emphasizing the broader vision of the state government, Shri Ashish Sood credited Delhi Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta for steering key educational reforms across the capital. He noted that under her leadership, the Delhi Government is working at the ground level to turn Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of technology, innovation, and skill-based learning into a reality for every student.
The Minister reaffirmed that the government remains fully committed to building world-class infrastructure and providing equal growth opportunities for children in all state-run schools. Former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan reaffirmed his commitment to empowering youth, praising the Delhi Government’s continued support for digital and practical education across state-run schools. The initiative aligns with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, ensuring that children in government schools receive quality education, modern technology, and equal opportunities to succeed.
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