MSRTC to deliver bus travel passes to students at educational institutions from June 16
In a big relief for students, the Maharashtra State Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has decided to deliver subsidised travel passes directly to schools and colleges, eliminating the need for queuing up at depots or pass centres, state Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said.
'Students will get ST passes directly at their schools,' said Sarnaik, announcing the 'ST Pass Directly to Your School' campaign starting June 16. He said the government currently offers a 66.66 per cent concession on ST bus fares for students travelling between home and educational institutions.
Under this scheme, students only have to pay 33.33 per cent of the fare to receive a monthly ST pass. In addition, all students up to class 12 are provided free passes under the 'Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar' scheme, aimed at promoting uninterrupted education, the MSRTC chairman stated.
'Until now, students had to go to ST pass centres or depots, often in groups, and stand in long lines to collect their passes. This would lead to a waste of academic hours. With this new approach, ST employees will visit schools and colleges and distribute the passes directly, based on the student list provided by the institutions,' the minister said, adding that this innovative step will benefit lakhs of students across Maharashtra.
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MSRTC starts giving subsidised travel passes directly to students
The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has started giving subsidised travel passes directly to schools and colleges, sidestepping the need for students to visit depots or pass centres and saving their time. The move will benefit lakhs of school and college students across the state. With the academic year starting June 16, the 'ST pass directly to your school' initiative has been implemented across the state. With students receiving their passes directly at schools and colleges, not only will the process of getting passes become easier and more convenient, the students' valuable study time will be saved. Announcing the new system, state transport minister Pratap Sarnaik said, 'The MSRTC staff will now go to schools and colleges to distribute the travel passes. They will use the students' lists provided by the schools and colleges. Earlier, students had to go in groups to specific centres and wait in long queues which affected their studies as well.' 'This new plan will ensure that students do not miss their classes just to get their bus passes,' Sarnaik said while launching the 'ST pass directly to your school' campaign. Under this scheme, students travelling to and from their homes and schools/colleges will still get a 66.66% discount on bus fares. They will only need to pay the remaining 33.33% to get a monthly pass. All students from classes 1 to 12 can get free passes under the 'Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar' scheme to help them continue their education without any hassles. State divisional controller Arun Siya said, 'All ST depot managers across the city have been instructed to coordinate with local schools and colleges and send letters to principals and headmasters. These letters include students' lists. Based on these lists, the travel passes will be distributed directly.' 'We have distributed bus passes today as per the guidelines announced by the minister. Every depot manager's team went to schools and distributed passes at the Bhor and Shirur depots. In Pune district, this initiative has started on May 16,' Siya said. Student Aditya Patil said, 'This will help me save money. Earlier, I had to spend around ₹1,500 every month on my monthly bus pass. Now, I can save a little money. Also, I had to go to the depot every month to renew the pass, which took a lot of time. Now that it will be done at school, it's much easier. This is a very good step.'
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Delhi, the capital of India, is not only a busy city but also an open-air museum where history and the modern world have blended seamlessly. The city's streets reveal countless stories, ranging from the ancient stories that are untold to the vivid art that captures the day-to-day life there. One has to take a special walk around the boulevards and narrow lanes to truly get a feel of Delhi. Each section has a unique tale to share through the walls and other structures. Here: Old Delhi Old Delhi marks the start point of the trip as it is a fine blend of the Mughal period alongside British rule. As you enter the age-old market street called Chandni Chowk, you cannot help but be enchanted by the overpowering scents from the nearby Paranthe Wali Gali. The scent of parathas being freshly cooked fills the air while the vendors shout their products. The shops add on to the beauty of the streets with their bright colored displays. In this place, the walls tell a story of ancient times. Delhi's history is encapsulated within every crumbling facade. The remnants of Urdu lettering from the Mughals as well as the scars from the partition tell the tale of the chaos that ensued as families were torn apart. Yet, these structures also serve as a testament to the ever resilient communities that reclaimed order amidst the devastation and despondency. The UNESCO world heritage site, the Red Fort, is still known for the many secrets the walls hold, staying silent for over 350 years. Fortresses made from red sandstone encase tales of emperors and battles while the intricately carved marble within pours over with a sumptuous power. The Red Fort stands guarding these stories while today's modern artists skillfully employ these walls to express ever prevalent social issues. It is remarkable to see how history and modern day art exist almost symbiotically. The next location brings a shift from the jazzed up streets of old Delhi to Lodhi colony. Delhi's open air art gallery is truly an enchanting site thanks to the St+Art Foundation. Art emerges from every corner in the form of bold murals and engaging designs which blankets the entire area. One mural illustrates a young girl reading beneath a tree, which represents how education serves as a light of hope. Another mural illustrates a woman freeing herself from chains which signifies awards and emancipation of equality. Each of the murals focuses on social themes of gender issues, environmental conservation, and cultural pluralism to remind onlookers to think. The unique aspect of the space is its inclusivity since art is not limited to only museums but extends into public areas for everyone to enjoy. As you take a walk in Lodhi Colony, you notice that these walls are not just for beautification purposes, but they are waiting to interact. They reshape ideas, ignite conversations, and motivate new endeavors. Like these murals, they bring together people from different cultures and ages, illustrating that stories can be told without using any words. Spiritual Walls of Nizamuddin Basti Your visit in Delhi is not complete without going to Nizamuddin Basti where the famous Sufi saint Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya lived. His dargah or shrine is preceded by a set of narrow streets which has walls ornamented with lines from the Quran and incredible Persian poetry. These writings are spiritual attractions welcoming worshippers to reflect and find peace. The walls here also resonate with qawwalis (peotart songs), that can be heard during evening get-togethers. Above all else, check out the shrines of Delhi where Musicians sit cross-armed and their voices rise and fall like waves while sitting cross-legged, creating the divine atmosphere of ecstatic waves. For countless tourists, teeth beset Grim heralds of inexorable rest for the city against which was once punctured. Funny enough, imon structures tell of meat being twast about the city's food culture. In the distance, the food village becomes a phirni kebab and kheer whilst feast whimpering back and forth as decades of sunlight twittle blind roaming like through dirty walls. These alone places tell the narratives as an ever emerging set of discussions, festive including faces and rituals that were replaced and repeated within customary lines. Imperial Designs of Lutyens Delhi At last, we come to Lutyens' Delhi where the epithet was given to british designer Edwin Lutyens who was responsible for a huge part of the city's administrative structures built during British rule. This is where the architecture changes its expression, imposing, stoic and symmetrical. And similarly, the imperial dreams now quartered in specially, serve as head of democratic India's Rajpath Bhavan, India Gate and the Parliament House. Even such stoic structures have a story to tell if you pay attention. The pristine lawns and grandiose columns whisper of an era where people made decisions for millions behind closed doors. Now these prefabricated walls endure protests, rallies, and vigils, giving a voice to the citizens' aspirations and struggles. From farmers asking for reasonable payment to students pushing for reforms in the education system, Lutyens' Delhi does not remain static but changes along with the needs of an energetic country. Summary: A Tapestry of Stories Delhi is more than just another city, it is a tapestry where each narrative adds a new layer. From the ancient walls of Old Delhi, the exuberant paintings of Lodhi Colony, the pious adages of Nizamuddin Basti, and the imposing Lutyens' Delhi, every inch is significant. All of these form a single memory box that keeps the happiness, sadness, victories and struggles of the people who live in this city. So, next time you are roaming in Delhi, take a minute and observe your surroundings. Let the walls tell you what they have been dying to share with you. Because every wall in Delhi is a storyteller patiently waiting for an audience.
