NELLORE: The state government will extend the retirement age to 61 years instead of the usual 60, for students bagging awards under Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Pratibha Puraskar Awards Scheme, if they secure government jobs.
AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu made the announcement to encourage talented students during the distribution of Dr Kalam Scheme awards to 7,010 students during a programme held at Ongole on Monday.
Meritorious students who have excelled in the SSC Public Examinations will be awarded with a merit certificate, a memento and scholarships to meet the cost of higher education under the scheme.
Addressing students and their parents on the occasion, Mr Naidu said the sky was the limit for the students if they pursued academics with a passion.
Recalling Dr Abdul Kalam’s advice to students to dream and work towards realising them, he called upon all students to follow in the footsteps of the former President of the country.
He recalled the role he had played in making Dr Kalam the President of India, while stressing that he was proud of his initiative. “The percentage of youth in India is much higher than in America, China and Europe. The English speaking population is also high in India compared to the United States. While technology is ruling the roost in the world, Indians have been dictating that technology,” the Chief Minister said.
He said they were using technology to contain the death toll during calamities while referring to 2,500 deaths because of hurricanes in 1996, when he was CM and the number coming down to 35 during cyclone Hudhud and 8 in the recent Cyclone Titli in Srikakulam district. He said the major asset of Andhra Pradesh was the state’s youth, pointing to 81 lakh students in the state.
