Sri Vijaya Puram | January 07, 2026
Hon’ble Member of Parliament from Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, has urged the Union Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy, Mr. Shripad Yesso Naik, to facilitate Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) support from Power Sector Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) for the supply and distribution of 20,000 Smart School Bag-cum-Desk Units across the Islands.
The proposal aims to benefit students from economically weaker sections studying in Government schools and Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalayas (VKVs) operated under the Zilla Parishads in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Mr. Ray highlighted that the initiative would address infrastructural gaps faced by students, particularly in remote and geographically isolated areas.
The MP informed the Minister that a reputed non-governmental organisation, Need for Good Foundation, which is actively engaged in social welfare and educational empowerment, has expressed its willingness to implement the project. The NGO has proposed to distribute the Smart School Bag-cum-Desk Units as per an approved design, subject to the availability of CSR support from Power Sector PSUs.
The innovative units can be converted from school bags into desks, offering a practical and portable solution in areas where basic educational infrastructure such as desks, benches, and proper study facilities is often inadequate or unavailable.
Highlighting the unique challenges of the Andaman & Nicobar archipelago, Mr. Ray pointed out that the Islands comprise scattered and far-flung habitations, where a large number of students from low-income families depend entirely on Government-run educational institutions. He emphasized that the proposed initiative would help create a more conducive learning environment, improve student attendance, and enhance overall learning outcomes, especially in backward and remote areas.
The MP has requested the Union Minister to issue suitable directions to the Power Sector PSUs under his Ministry to extend CSR support for this initiative, terming it a meaningful step towards strengthening educational empowerment in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
