By IANS
Jaipur : From beauty tips to computer education to healthcare, it will all be rolled out on wheels in Rajasthan as the state government tries to reach out to rural areas.
Initially, a single mobile beauty van costing Rs. 2 million and fitted with beauty equipment will be launched in the first week of December in Jaipur. Students enrolled in a diploma course in beauty culture would run the unique project.
From threading to manicures and pedicures, the students will impart beauty training and tips for a price to women, especially those who want to become beauticians.
“Our main aim is to offer training to women by reaching out to them so that they can stand on their own feet,” Vasudev Devnani, Rajasthan’s state minister for education, told IANS.
“A bus estimated to cost around Rs.2 million would have all the facilities, including cosmetics and threading, manicure and pedicure equipments,” an official told IANS.
Starting with one bus that can accommodate up to 10 trainers at a time, the plan is to allow more such mobile beauty schools in rural areas. Jodhpur has already put in a request for a van.
The state government is also going ahead with computer education on wheels.
Through public-private partnership, the government will operationalise 32 buses, one in each district, fitted with IT infrastructure and other teaching aids.
“The state government with the support of global and local partners has taken steps towards bringing ICT in education to empower students and enhance the quality of education in the state,” a senior education department official said.
“We have invited expressions of interest (EOI) from interested parties,” he added.
“The government would extend a subsidy to the extent of up to 75 percent towards the capital cost of buses and equipment. The idea is to provide basic computer education to students in elementary classes residing in rural areas through these buses by the private partners,” he added.
Mobile medical units too are to be set up to take healthcare to the doorstep of the rural populace. These will be operated by NGOs and hospitals or private health clinics under the control of district health societies.